THE Royal Lancashire Show is set to be held in Blackburn next year after the current site became ‘untenable’.

Event bosses said that the relocation to Witton Park has been made in a bid to make it ‘both a financial and public relations success’.

This year’s show was staged at Salesbury Hall near Ribchester but did not make a profit.

It is hoped that the move will save at least £30,000 through not having to hire electricity generators, a grandstand and laying water pipes.

The last time the show was staged at the park in 2012 council bosses said that they could not return as the ground was left in an ‘unfit’ state.

However Blackburn with Darwen Council has now said that various conditions will have to be met by the show in order for the show to stay at it’s new home.

David Marriot, the chief executive officer of the Royal Lancashire Agricultural Society, said: “The show’s location had become untenable as we were just not making any money.

“Moving to Witton Park just makes sense and we are already talking about staying there for many years to come.

“We need to make sure that the 2016 show is a financial success and we need to stop moving around and put some roots down.

“This year’s show was popular but we had many people contact us afterwards saying that they could not come because they did not have access to a car.

“Blackburn is obviously more connected than Salesbury Hall so that should not be a problem next year. We are hoping that this move will help secure the future of the show in the long term.”

The event is the oldest show of its kind in the country, but has been beset with troubles since 2006, the last time a full event was held prior to this year.

In subsequent years, it has been cancelled due to wet weather, in 2007 and 2008, because of bosses’ rows about where to hold the event in 2009, and had to sell off trophies dating back hundreds of years to stave off bankruptcy in 2010.

In 2012 a reduced show was held in Witton Park.

Cllr Damian Talbot, Blackburn with Darwen Council’s executive member for culture, leisure and young people, said: “It’s fantastic that such a large show is returning to the borough and at Witton Park, which is such a great venue.

“This is a really family-friendly event and should be an entertaining day out for all visitors, there should be something for everybody.

“I am looking forward to it.”

The 2016 show will be staged for three days from August 12.