THE volunteers who helped ensure Blackburn’s National Festival of Making was a major success have been praised.

Blackburn with Darwen borough leader Mohammed Khan highlighted their ‘fantastic job’ at the May event in a report to council colleagues.

He revealed the first ever such national festival of manufacturing and craft saw an official total of more than 30,000 visitors come to Blackburn town centre.

His report said: “Visitors who came from all over the UK, enjoyed two days of demonstrations, workshops and performances as well as a collection of art installations, held at a variety venues around the town centre.

“Volunteers helped ensure the festival ran smoothly by acting as visitor guides and welcoming people to the town.

“As a recognition of their hard work, over 100 people of all ages and from all backgrounds, who signed up to help throughout the weekend attended a special reception in the Council Chamber at Blackburn Town Hall on Monday, July 3.

“The volunteers did a fantastic job and quite rightly were recognised for their contribution to what was a wonderful event.

“The Festival of Making brought people together from all walks of life and was a great example of what we can achieve when we all work together.”