A MAJOR music festival will take place at Witton Country Park in Blackburn next month.

The ‘Restricted Forest’ festival will be divided into two zones and will include 16 DJs and producers with a capacity for up to 2,000 people.

The park is set to be transformed with light shows, lasers and a host of additional performers to accompany the DJs.

It will run from 3pm to 11pm on Saturday, May 13 and will be the first of its type on this scale.

But the unusual late night finish for an event at Witton Park has raised concerns about noise among nearby residents.

Cllr Keith Murray, who represents Meadowhead ward, raised their worries with borough leisure boss Damian Talbot at Thursday’s Blackburn with Darwen Council Forum.

He told the meeting it seemed unusual that it would run later than the long-established Easter Fair at the park, which over the years had produced many complaints about noise.

Cllr Murray said: “I have no issue with the event being on in the evening, as long as it doesn’t affect local residents.

“All other events have shut down at 9pm and as this is a music festival, a certain level of noise is expected and is acceptable but with it being cut off into two zones, it will appear noisier to residents.”

Blackburn with Darwen Council said its policy about the events at the park had not been changed and its licence allowed the park to hold events until 11pm.

Cllr Talbot said: "All events have to submit to the Event Management Plan so the Event Safety Group which consists off event officers, community offers and the police can go through all the health and safety checks, in order to give approval.

“The event is not a council-run event so a fee to use the park and a damage bond is paid by the organisers.

“I think working with the organisation, who have booked these events elsewhere and are experts in that area, will accommodate the residents to avoid the noise issue raised.”

The event is 18 plus and alcohol and food will be served throughout.

For more information and to buy tickets, visit www.restrictedevents.co.uk/.