A ONE-DAY music festival could have a 'catastrophic effect' on nearby residents if it is given the go-ahead, it has been warned.

Organisers of Burnley's annual Drop the Beat Festival, which attracts around 5,000 music lovers, have applied to move this year's event to land off Ightenhill Park Lane.

In previous years the popular dance music event has been held in Towneley Park and Burnley Mechanics.

Community leaders said the new venue was unsuitable for large crowds as it presents problems with parking, noise, litter and traffic.

Festival organisers, Hunters Oak Limited, have applied to Burnley Council for permission to sell alcohol on and off the premises, the performance of a play, live music and recorded music, dance and the showing of films on Saturday, June 24.

Dozens of letters against the proposal and a petition have been sent to the council.

Stuart Chattle, of Yewbarrow Close, Burnley, said in his letter of objection: "There is a high probability of litter and the potential for anti-social behaviour and vandalism from a small but significant percentage of attendees leaving on foot, possibly under the influence of alcohol, passing through residential areas.

"Music and noise from the premises is also highly likely to be audible and cause disturbance in areas of housing close to the site and as far away as Higham and Fence."

Cllr Tony Mitchell, who sits on Ightenhill Parish Council, said the application was not adequately made known to the people most affected by it.

He said: "The influx of such a large number of people, up to 5,000, arriving before 10am and leaving in the early hours of the morning, having consumed alcohol and possibly other stimulants, would have a catastrophic effect on residents.

"Young families with children are particularly concerned about safety.

"The venue is a field of considerable size, it is green belt land and is known for its diversity of wildlife.

"This will be obliterated by regular invasions of these proportions."

Nearby resident Jim Cowell, said Ightenhill Park Lane was one of a few remaining places in Burnley for families to take walks with their children.

In a letter to the council, he said: "Environmentally it would be a disaster not only for the area, where species of flowers and other flora that have not been seen in decades are again flourishing, but also for the wildlife.

"There is going to be a litter problem, not only in the fields and the river but also along the whole of park lane.

"Nobody seems to know exactly the numbers of people involved but where are they going to park?

"They'll finish up outside people's homes creating anarchy."

Tickets for the event, which boasts a variety of dance music DJs, have already been sold.

The line up includes a variety of DJs, including Rob Tissera, Stu Allan and Mark XTC.

Within the licence application, a spokesman on behalf of Chris Smith, said: "Prior to any function involving the attendance of more than 350 patrons, a risk assessment would be carried out to determine how many door supervisors are required.

"The premises shall operate a zero tolerance drugs policy.

"Clear, legible and conspicuous notices shall be displayed at each public exit requesting patrols to avoid causing noise, nuisance or disturbance upon leaving the premises."

Organiser Craig Kennedy and Mr Smith both declined to comment.