THE future of a major annual Darwen event could be in danger after attendance this year was branded ‘very disappointing’.

The Darwen Pedal Car Grand Prix has been running for seven years, but town council deputy chairman Paul O’Garr admitted that after the number of spectators dropped this year, it may have ‘run its course’.

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Teams from as far away as Manchester took part in the two-hour race this year with teams from Crown Paints, Ewood Bikes and the 105th Manchester Scouts among the participants.

At a meeting of Darwen Town Council this week, Cllr O’Garr said: “Events this year have had mixed fortunes with the Pedal Car Grand Prix very disappointing as regards attendance and it’s perhaps an event with a future that is a little uncertain with costs well over budget due to losing Capita as our sponsor for road closures.

“I have asked Cllr Pete Hollings to look at its feasibility going forward into next year with it perhaps having run its course.

“In September we held a meeting with event stakeholders and organisers to look at how we can work together to improve attendance and organisation.

“A number of initiatives were suggested with regards bringing together the fragmented marketing of events and also organisations working together to ensure that there is a common calendar for all major events in Darwen.”

In September, a meeting was hosted by the Darwen Town Centre Partnership Board at Level One Live focusing on the organisation of events and how it could be improved. Organisers of events such as the Darwen Gala, Darwen Live and the 1940s day attended. Around £3,000 is spent on the grand prix each year which sees teams compete to complete the most laps within two hours around a course in the town centre.

More than 100 spectators watched drivers battle it out this year but this was seen to be considerably less than previous years.

Cllr Brian Taylor, leader of Darwen Town Council, said it is an event that will need reviewing. He said:“We need to make sure that we are spending taxpayers money appropriately. “If we are spending £3,000 and not getting many spectators then it isn’t worth it. The event will need a review to see if we are getting value for money.”

Cllr Pete Hollings, organiser of the event, said: “We are continually evaluating all events in Darwen.”