THOUSANDS of people from across Lancashire had fun in the sun at a two-day Eid celebration in a Blackburn park.

Eid in the Park saw more than 6,000 people visit Corporation Park over the weekend for the record-breaking festival which aimed to promote community cohesion.

Organisers said the event had been a big success and promised an even bigger one next year.

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The free-to-enter event was open to all parts of the community, regardless of race or faith, and featured an appearance from Burnley Football Club players, a fun fair, donkey rides, food and drink stalls, crazy golf and archery.

Festival organiser Ashfaq Ahmed said: “It has been fantastic and we achieved what we set out to. The weather was great and meant that we got record crowds.

“We had people from all parts of Lancashire, including Blackburn, Bacup, Darwen and Preston which shows just how big the event is getting. We have had such positive feedback, not just from the Asian community, and people have said how much they have enjoyed it.

“There was a mixed reaction to the Burnley players but I think it is great that we can get footballers from other towns to come to Blackburn without there being any trouble. After all the event is about spreading community cohesion.

“I would like to thank everyone who turned up, all the stall holders, the volunteers who helped get the event on, the people of Blackburn and the residents around the park for being so accommodating.

“I am already looking forward to an even bigger and better event next year.”

Mr Ahmed said 200 meals had been donated to refugees at the event.

The festival marked Eid Sallah and followed on from a similar event in Witton Park to celebrate the Eid Al-Fitr Festival earlier this year.