ORGANISERS of the Ram Katha Hindu festival have been slammed for allowing participants to ruin a local park.

Preston councillor Mick Moulding said people at last week's event at Moor Park had left their cars strewn over a grassed area.

He slammed the careless parking and claimed it had ruined the ground, normally reserved for sports events.

But president of the festival Ishwer Tailor blames a lack of advice from the local authorities and bad weather conditions for the incident.

Coun Moulding said he has received a number of complaints from the public about vehicles being parked on the field, rather than on nearby car parks.

He added: "I noticed this problem myself when they were setting up. Since then I have been inundated with complaints from the public - it's a very serious matter."

The Liberal Democrat councillor also believes that Preston youngsters will suffer because parts of the field used for sports are ruined.

He said: "There is no doubt that one football pitch is completely ruined and other areas will take a long time to repair themselves."

But Ishwer Tailor said: "The wet weather didn't help conditions but we did not receive any advice from the authorities.

"While preparing for the festival we held meetings about getting help from organisations like Preston Borough Council - but unfortunately this didn't arrive."

Coun Moulding now wants a code of practice set up by the council which will provide regulations for future large festivals in the area.

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