REFUSED plans for a Christmas festival in Ribble Valley have been resurrected at Mrs Dowson’s dairy farm.

After an attempt to hold a festival in Clitheroe was rejected by Ribble Valley Borough Council, organiser Julie Whalley has successfully arranged to hold the newly-named Ribble Valley Christmas Fair at the farm off Longsight Road.

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The fair is set to hold a variety of different events including a Festive Santa Tractor Ride which will take children up to the donkey petting zoo.

There will also be an ice rink, a licensed bar, musical entertainment and around 50 food and gift stalls.

The Whalley-born organiser said holding the festival in Ribble Valley was important to her.

She said: “I was born and bred in the valley so holding the festival here is personal to me.

“I have listened to lots of residents when working with them at various events and they wanted a festival putting on and they wanted something good for all age groups.

“We are disappointed to not be able to hold the event in the centre of Clitheroe, however there are numerous advantages to the new site including easier access and car parking.”

Co-owner of Hawkshead farm, Amanda Dowson, said it was absolutely fantastic they are to hold the festival after her husband Eric was granted a temporary events licence by the council.

She said: “We are very proud that we’ve got the chance to told the festival and we hope it can be the first of many.

“I was pleased when Julie contacted us because we are a family-centred business and an event like this will bring lots of families together to have a great Christmas day out.

“I love Christmas. In our house we have at least three trees up every year so this festival is definitely something I wanted to be a part of.

“It’s a shame that the council didn’t vote to have it in Clitheroe town centre but having it here means more people will be able to get to it and there won’t be as much congestion.

“Julie has tremendous facilities and the farm is going to look amazing.”

The new Christmas Fair will be held at the farm from Friday, December 4 to Sunday 6.

l Visit ribblevalleychristmasfair.co.uk for details.