A HERITAGE event which was set to attract hundreds of visitors to Blackburn tomorrow has been cancelled.

Steam Sunday, which was due to take place in Blackburn Town Centre tomorrow (Sunday October 9) was cancelled by organisers on Friday evening, disappointing familes who had planned to attend the event.

Seven vintage steam powered vehicles were due to assemble in Darwen town centre and make their way along the A666 to Blackburn.

However, organisers pulled the plug on the event on Friday evening citing 'last minute technical problems and a personal family emergency, has meant that the majority of the engines that were heading for Blackburn simply could make the journey'.

The Blackburn Business Improvement District (BID) who work with Heritage Painting in Darwen to bring the event to the town centre decided that it was better to cancel the event rather than disappoint people who were planning to visit.

They said they hoped that some of the engines will be able to attend one of the key events at Christmas when Blackburn hosts the four BIG Saturdays.

Harriet Roberts, BID Manager, said. “We have been working closely with Heritage Painting throughout the day, but unfortunately some of the unexpected technical problems with the vehicles simply cannot be overcome in time for Sunday.

"One of the owners of some of the engines is also coping with a family emergency and our thoughts go out to them at this difficult time.

“Heritage Painting have done everything they possible can to help stage the event on Sunday, but it is with regret that we have decided to cancel Steam Sunday.

"We are very sorry to disappoint people who were planning to come to the event and will have been looking forward to it.”

Ian Hewitt from Heritage Painting said, “We are absolutely gutted that the event on Sunday cannot go ahead and we have been working tirelessly over the last 24 hours to try and overcome the obstacles that have emerged over the day.

"We have pledged to bring some of the steam engines back to town at Christmas and we hope that everyone will understand and enjoy the extra fun they will add to Blackburn’s BIG Christmas celebrations.”

The BID will make an announcement soon when the steam engines will appear in Blackburn over Christmas.