THE organisers of the annual Whalley Pickwick Festival have announced the date of this year’s event.

The Victorian-themed event will be staged on December 4 from 6pm to 9pm.

Bosses of the festival promised last year to revamp the annual event after a series of problems hit the 2013 carnival.

The event committee, which was celebrating its 25th anniversary, apologised to Ribchester runner David Moretta who was booked to help kick off proceedings but ended up playing only a small part.

Poor weather also prevented many stalls, children’s rides and a giant Ferris wheel being set up.

Guest of honour Malcolm Hebden, who plays Norris Cole in Coronation Street, only arrived minutes before the festival was due to be declared open.