THE only remaining member of Rishton Festival’s original committee is to step down alongside the chairman – throwing the annual event’s future into doubt.

Christine Hammerton has been involved with the annual festival since its inception in 2004 but has decided now is the right time to step down as secretary.

MORE TOP STORIES:

The 71-year-old, who lives in Haworth Street, said she is no longer capable to doing a ‘job and a half’ and has appealed for a successor to come forward.

And chairman Malcolm Ward also confirmed he was quitting, and said the popular event could fold if nobody steps in to take over.

Christine, a retired office manager said: “The committee has got smaller and smaller. There has been a very small number of people involved over the last few years, and it’s not sustainable as you get older.

“It needs young blood with more energy. I would love to see it continue, I don’t want it to end.”

After first joining the committee 11 years ago as an organiser, Christine quickly busied herself with sorting out stalls, arranging fundraising bingo sessions held in the town throughout the year, cooking up treats for visitors, and putting up posters and banners.

She now hopes somebody new will step forward to take over the reins at the committee’s annual general meeting (AGM), which will be held in September.

“I will still be there in the background for anyone who wants to take over to guide them along where I can,” she said.

“I will no doubt help out somewhere, but not on the front line like I have been.”

The committee’s chairman, Malcolm Ward, 64, said: “It have done it now for six years or so, and I have to a lot of commitments so it’s down to somebody else now.

“At the AGM, we want people to come forward and we can pick successors for Christine and myself.

“If nobody does, I would assume the festival would fold.

“It’s quite successful so we want it to carry on.

“It’s been a really good time.”

The news is the second blow to festivals in Hyndburn in the last month, after the organisers behind the bi-annual Accrington Carnival pulled out of arranging the next one.