DARWEN Dashers' annual Roller Coaster half-marathon has hit the buffers - because of safety fears.

Traffic police have refused to give permission for the run through the heart of Darwen because the route includes a one-and-a-half mile stretch along the busy Green Arms Road.

Organisers have been forced to return the sponsorship for the event and recall entry forms.

Club secretary Granville Staff said: "The police wanted us to reduce numbers to 320 but that wouldn't have made the marathon viable. We can't understand why they think it is too dangerous because we've never had any problems for the five years it has been held."

In the past the marathon has attracted athletes from as far afield as Newcastle and Birmingham and has become one of the most prestigious events in the local running calendar, with more than 400 entrants each year.

Mr Staff added: "We are really disappointed the race has been scrapped. We don't know at this stage if it will be possible to resurrect it in the future."

A police spokesperson said: "There was concern about the safety of the runners bearing in mind the numbers and route involved. We didn't say it could not go ahead but would not allow as many entrants as previous years."

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