RESIDENTS and organisers have claimed that a lack of police and council involvement resulted in traffic chaos at Blackburn's main bonfire and firework display.

Up to 15,000 people attended the annual Rotaract event at Witton Park on Saturday.

But there has been a series of complaints about parking problems and a man was assaulted after witnesses said he tried to stop people damaging vehicles in Preston Old Road.

James Callaghan, 40, of Selous Road, said his street was lined with parked cars making it impossible for anyone to get out or in.

He said: "Cars were parked illegally on Cartmel Grange and Franklin Road.

"They were going the wrong way up one way streets but there was no police presence near my road."

"I could not have driven to the hospital or gotten help if I needed it.

"If the police and council are so big on parking and speeding surely this would have been a massive fundraiser."

He said that when he raised the problem with the police he was told the traffic problems were the respons-ibility of the council.

David Hamer, organiser of the event for Blackburn Rotaract, asked for a bigger police presence at next year's event.

He said: "We told the police there could be upwards of 15,000 people so it needs to be policed.

"As far as I am aware there were only three special constables. We need a bigger police presence."

Superintendent Claire Holbrook, of Blackburn Police, said the event had been well policed by traffic officers and special police constables.

She said: "It is apparent that the vast numbers of people attending had a great evenings entertainment.

"Our concerns relate to the sheer number of vehicles attending such a large event and as such the road policing unit were deployed to ensure this aspect of the event caused minimal disruption.

"In view of the large numbers we would class this as a well run and organised event supplemented by police officers and a marshalling system."

Nobody from Blackburn with Darwen Council was available to comment.

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