THE annual May Day parade will not take place in Burnley this year, although the festival will go ahead as usual on Monday, May 5.

The festival is organised by the North East Lancashire Trade Union Councils and Co-operative May Day Committee.

Secretary Jack Preston explained the May Day parade had been dropped this time because of the arrival of Euromarch 97 in the town on May 17.

He said: "Were we to try and stage both marches we are sure one would suffer, so this very hard decision had to be taken''.

Mr Preston said the Euromarchers would be in Burnley as guests of Burnley Trade Union Council.

"All our energies are being tunnelled into making sure the Euromarchers get the welcome they deserve,'' he added.

The East Lancashire Euromarch, a trades union call for more jobs and welfare rights throughout the Continent, is one of several taking place across Europe. On May 17, marchers will set out from Preston with rallies in Blackburn at 11am, Accrington at 12.30pm and Burnley at 4.30pm.

The Burnley May Day Festival will go ahead as usual at Towneley Park starting at 12.30pm on May 5 and continuing until 5pm.

Attractions will include a children's fairground, Media-sound Roadshow, Bavarian Oompah Band, Utopia Marching Brass and the Red Herring Street Band.

In a giant marquee, the Co-operative will stage their presentation with over 50 stalls.

Guest speakers will be Ken Cameron, general secretary of the Fire Brigade Union, and Joe Marino, general secretary of the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union, supported by local speakers.

Admission is free with no car parking charges.

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