ROAD-closure charges will not force Pendle's biggest agricultural show out of business, a councillor has promised.

Organisers of Trawden Show has been warned they would have to apply for official traffic control for this year's show, but were told by Pendle Council that they would be charged less than £60 because of their voluntary status.

But now control over the borough's roads has passed back to Lancashire County Council and they are asking the full amount of up to £600.

Show committee vice-chairman Bob Glozier said the charge, combined with increased insurance, booking and other expenses, would put strain on finances.

He warned that if costs continued to rise, either the show would have to fold or ticket prices would increase dramatically.

But county councillor Mike Calvert, who lives in Trawden and represents the Pendle East area, said he would be working to ensure that the group was given help towards paying the bill.

He said: "What the council is quoting is the true cost of a road closure, but I'm sure we will be able to resolve this to everyone's satisfaction.

"I will contact Mr Glozier to discuss this matter further, and I will do everything I can to minimise the effect this will have to the show and to the public.

"There may be money to help with things like this in the grant funding scheme, which I chair, if all else fails, and I will be looking into all the options."

Mr Glozier said: "I hope this can be sorted out and I would welcome any help towards it.

"The show committee is a not-for-profit organisation and we have to look at the figures at the end of every show to see whether we can afford to put it on next year - some years we actually run at a loss."

"It's a good show and we don't want it to fold but more things like this could put us under a lot of pressure."