ORGANISERS of Bacup and Stacksteads Carnival are urging traders to ‘grab the opportunity to promote their business with both hands’.

The team behind the annual community event planned for Sunday, June 29 have said they are struggling to drum up enough interest from local businesses.

Stallholders and people wanting to create floats for the family day out are being encouraged to get in touch with them as time is running out.

David Lawrie, of Bacup Traders' Association, said: “At the moment, we don’t have enough floats to justify including Stacksteads in the carnival.

“The route at the moment will go from Bacup Hub, up Market Street to Rochdale Road, then to Stubbylee Park.

“We want as many people with floats as possible so we can have a proper procession all the way to Stacksteads.

“Let’s promote the products and services and traders in Bacup. We need to have an event in Bacup to bring traders, shoppers and tourists in.

“We want people with shops, but also plumbers, mechanics, electricians, all kinds of traders, to get involved. People think it’s all for shops, but traders have to have their windows cleaned and their cars serviced too.“ Catherine Smyth, of the Bacup and Stacksteads Carnival Organisation, said: “We need more in the procession.

“There are 17 floats in Oswaldtwistle Carnival. Some are 'walking' floats, but still the organisers said the local businesses have backed it. Come on Bacup.

“This year we have to pay to marshal the procession.

“And we need to justify the £660 it is costing to hold the procession.

“Please take part if you can.”

To get involved with the carnival, by emaiing info@basco.org.uk, or lawriedriver@aol.com.