I sincerely hope that the Leyland Festival can be resurrected, Citizen January 26.

I consider various factors were probably responsible for its demise.

Leyland is no longer the world renowned manufacturing base it once was.

Those industries are long gone, together with the prosperity, pride and community spirit they generated.

It was an annual social event for the area, and to the end it still drew the crowds, and many former residents returned to the area for the occasion.

The route was altered for the Southern Towngate development, and further development now makes it impossible.

It is unfair to blame the big companies etc; the organisers should look closer to home.

Did there need to be so much security involved, staff and equipment?

It seemed to increase annually, until Worden Park looked like a high security compound, even the patrons' marquee was similarly fenced.

All this had to be paid for before any money could be donated to charity, hence the increased admission charges and extortionate car parking.

So what should have been a pleasant family day out gradually became too expensive, in other words families were 'priced out'.

Was all the expense worth it just to stop a few 'gatecrashers'.

No doubt the PC brigade and compensation culture industry are partly responsible as similar events nationwide have suffered the same fate.

If the festival is restored, let us hope that things are put into perspective.

W Southworth,

Highfield Avenue,

Farington