A POPULAR park was left in a 'muddy mess' after a visit from a circus.

Regular walkers of Queen's Park in Blackburn came across a scene of muddy carnage after the Big Kid Circus cleared out on Sunday.

They said the grass on the main field was left churned up while mud covered the footpath around the park, following the visit by the circus between August 29 and September 3.

The circus, who tour the UK and which features a range of ground and aerial acrobats, said the mess was due to be cleared yesterday afternoon (Monday).

Resident James Lewis, from the Queen's Park area of Blackburn, said he was left 'disgusted' by the mess.

Mr Lewis said: "The circus left on Sunday and have left the park in a shocking state.

"The circus was a complete mudbath with grass on the main field left churned up and mud covering the footpath.

"There was still a red HGV van from the circus there also, and they've used the main entrance to get the caravans and HGV vans in, which left a real mess to the field."

"My girlfriend and I were walking in the park this morning (Monday) as we do regularly and we were struggling to walk on the paths, as they were that muddy.

"It was a safety hazard as someone could have easily slipped.

"I spoke to a lot of people who complained about the mess."

Mr Lewis said that he was left 'dumbfounded' by the state of the field and park.

He said: "I'm just really dumbfounded as it's a popular park and this spoils it for everyone else.

"I just hope the mess is cleared as soon as possible as I just find it disgusting."

But Russell Johnson, administration and circus manager for Big Kid Entertainment Ltd, said the 'wet weather' had left the field wet and muddy.

Mr Johnson said: "The circus finished late last night and it was dark, so we decided we would clear the field and the remaining vehicle today (Monday).

"There was also a lot of rain which left the field already very wet and muddy.

"But we always pay damages to the local authority in advance of any event we hold.

"We have an arrangement with the council where we pay for fields to be restored, as the council encourages us to hold these events."

The 33-acre park in Blackburn, which dates back to the Victorian times, is a winner of the prestigious Green Flag Award.