BLACKBURN'S first ever proposed Festival of Poetry and Songwriting looks set to be cancelled due to lack of interest.

The fate of the festival, which was to be a showcase for the area's budding lyricists, is to be decided at an emergency meeting on Monday. The event - due to be held at King George's Hall on July 22 as part of the borough's It's Happening celebrations - would have included live performances of the competition entries with judging on the night to find the winners.

Prizes including professional recording sessions and trophies were on offer, and money raised at the festival was to go to the Superscan Appeal. There were hopes of it becoming an annual event, but the disappointing turnout has meant that it probably won't take place at all.

Festival coordinator Brian Wood said: "Lots of people sent in for application forms when the competition first opened but nobody sent them back.

"Since our plea for more entries was published in the Citizen last week we've had a couple more poems sent in, but the response has been very disappointing. I'm pretty sure we'll have to call it off on Monday."

Bill Howarth, public relations officer for Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council said: "It's a shame that it appears the festival won't be going ahead but as for the rest of the celebrations, you can safely say that It's Happening is still happening!"

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