THE popular Whalley Pickwick Festival will not take place in its 30th anniversary year.

The festivals organisers have revealed they are to postpone the festival following an agreement to reshape the event.

The festival has been held in Whalley since it was created in 1988 and showcases stalls selling seasonal foods, gifts and games, along with a pantomime performance, a Victorian Whalley exhibition and a 1870s model replica of the village.

A festival committee spokesman said: "The current team of 10-strong volunteers have given careful consideration to look at ways of fitting a new concept into the old event infrastructure.

"As well as a lack of resources to implement these new plans, there is a significant time constraint therefore it has been decided to delay the event until 2019.

"We are disappointed we will not be holding an event in its 30th year.

"A plan to arrange an event in the new year is being considered.

"The event organisers are committed to securing the future of the event and we ask everyone for their understanding and support for the hard decisions that have been made."

"When the new Whalley Pickwick Festival is unveiled to the public, we hope we have found a formula that can keep the event running for future years."