A NEW code of conduct has been launched in Preston to ensure people holding events in the borough's parks take extra care.

The council has decided to introduce tighter rules on use of the town's parks for private events following a public outcry about the condition Moor Park after last July's Ram Katha Hindu festival.

Sporting events usually held in the park had to be cancelled because the ground had been ruined by cars.

Organisers claimed they had received no advice from the local authority.

But the new code of conduct will outline what is needed and expected if an event is to be approved by the council. A council spokesman said: "We will want full details of the event, how the venue will be used, details of adequate first aid cover and the guarantee that marshals or stewards will be used.

"We will also ask that the organisers seek advice from our relevant departments to ensure that no noise nuisance or health and safety rules are broken."

Council officials will also demand guarantees that the area will only be used for the purposes discussed with the council.

And, much to the delight of Moor Park residents, the onus will be placed on to the events organiser when it comes to ensuring that the site remains clean and tidy.

The organiser will also be responsible for making sure nothing will be done to the site which many cause a nuisance or result in the park being damaged.

Councillor Mick Moulding, who led campaigns for such a code of conduct to be set up in the wake of last year's Hindu festival, said: "This is very good news as it should mean residents don't have their parkland destroyed again."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.