READERS have voted seven to one in favour of a new date for the rain-soaked Blackburn Lions Gala.

The Lancashire Evening Telegraph's vote line was set up after gala organisers revealed they were considering a change in a bid to beat the bad weather which has plagued the August Bank Holiday weekend in recent years.

And the majority of people who rang in to vote said the event should now be moved to the beginning of the month.

The matter is due to be discussed at a meeting of Blackburn Lions on Tuesday.

Lions' past district governor Norman Walker said: "I think this phone poll has been very useful and hopefully we will be able to make a decision on what to do very soon."

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