COUNCIL bosses in Burnley have moved to prevent ‘funfair wars’ in the town by drawing up a list of permitted fairs to be operated during the year.

There will be six different funfairs taking place in the town during the year, and the contract to run them will be put out to tender.

The council had previously granted permission to hold funfairs on an ad-hoc basis.

Simon Goff, head of green spaces and amenities at Burnley Council, said: “A number of funfairs have been traditionally held in Burnley’s parks, including the Burnley Wakes Fair, which has been held on Fulledge Recreation Ground for many decades and several smaller fairs that support events such as the May Day Festival and Classic Car Show which are held at Towneley.

“However, in recent years fairground operators have requested, and have been granted on an ad-hoc basis.

“Rival fairground operators are continuing to make enquiries with both officers and councillors regarding fairground events and so to ensure that the situation is properly managed it is recommended that only these funfairs should be permitted on council land.”

The funfairs allowed to take place on council land are Easter Fair at Hargher Clough Recreation Ground, the May Day Festival, the Classic Car Show and Burnley Wakes Fair in July, the Summer Sizzler event in August and the annual Burnley Bonfire in November.

Executive member for leisure and culture Coun John Harbour said: “Burnley enjoys a number of funfairs throughout the year and they are very popular with the vast majority of residents. We are keen to ensure that we get the best possible fairs on our sites and secure the best value for money for the council from these events.”