THERE was a mixed reaction to the news that the Mela and Arts in the Park festivals were due to be merged into one event next year.

A lot of Blackburn residents were concerned that a mixture of large crowds and readily available alcohol would be an explosive mixture that would end in trouble.

Others, however, praised the move and believed it would be a positive thing for the town centre.

Plans have been drawn up for a two-day community arts festival to take place over the August bank holiday.

The new event will feature music, theatre and drama performances in a number of town-centre venues, including King George's Hall and Blackburn College.

Ismail Daud, 40, of Lincoln Road, Blackburn, said: "I don't think this should be held in the town centre because it should be about music and families.

"Youngsters will cause a nuisance if it's in the centre of town and I really think they should have left in the parks."

Joyce Grundy, of Church Street, Great Harwood, said: "I'm a bit disappointed at this move. I think it will cause trouble and shop lifting because people will be ganging up in the town.

"We always go to them and probably still will but it's better for families if it's held in the parks."

Carley Craine, 18, of Stonyhurst Road, Blackburn, said: "It's would be better if they had this in the park because you can fit more people in and there would be more atmosphere.

"The children would also enjoy it more because they can go and play in the park and there's more for them to do. I've been to it in previous years but I don't know whether I would now."

Mohammed Desai, 27, of Witton, Blackburn, said: "I think it should have been kept in the parks, not brought down to the centre.

"Having said that, the town centre is quite good because it will ease traffic and parking. It gets very congested in the Witton area when the event is on so this move has its pros and cons.

"It could be the best solution."

Luke Carter, 23, Bethesda Road, Blackburn, said: "The decision to bring it in to the town centre is a good one I think.

"If it's done right you can get a cross over of cultures and that could be really good for the town. It will generate more money for shops and pubs if it's down here at these venues."

Rose Duerden, 27, Addison Close, Blackburn, said: "The new plans mean its not going to be a safe event because there will be loads of people in the town centre.

"If people are getting drunk I think it will end up looking like a normal Friday night, just that there's a big stage in town.

"The previous events were better for families and the kids. At least in the parks you knew where the kids would be, but in the town centre they could go anywhere."

Barbara Carter, 25, Addison Close, said: "The council has made a real mistake moving the events. It will be over crowded and a real mess."

Yakub Patel, 47, Whalley Street, Blackburn, said: "I think this is a really good idea. There will be lots of people going to it and it will get people in to the town centre so that can only be good."

Jane Worden, 36, of Quebec Road, Blackburn, said: "I do think that it's a positive thing to merge these two events and stage them at the same time because it shouldn't be that we are segregated, it should be one community together.

"Providing that it stays diverse it can be a great event for the town."

Kelly Cotton, 26, Ewood, Blackburn, said: "We enjoyed it when we went to it in the past but if this brings people in to the town and makes them spend more money then it could be a good thing."

Moosa Karolai, 39, Audley Range, Blackburn, said: "I suppose it is a positive move in a way because people can experience different cultures.

"Our town centre traffic system is terrible though and I don't know whether it could cope with more people coming in to the town."

Deborah Massey, 25, Bolton Road, Blackburn, said: "They should not have changed the venues. There's too many shops and it's an accident waiting to happen.

"There's bound to be trouble and fighting."

Nasser Hussain, 18, Audley Range, Blackburn, said: "It's a good idea but there could be trouble if so many people gather in the town together.

"I would not hold them together because of the potential for trouble."

Damian Astley, 21, Lytham Road, Blackburn, said: "It was a good thing that it was at Witton but not here. There might be more money but there will be more fighting as well."

Asma Patel, 33, Trevor Close, Blackburn, said: "If it attracts a lot of people into Blackburn then that has to be positive for Blackburn. I don't see a problem with changing the venue at all."

Joanne Massey, 21, Witton, Blackburn, said: "They do a similar event in Darwen and there's never been a trouble with that so this could happen without any trouble."

Shama Nawaz, 24, Demper road, Blackburn, said: "I'd rather have it in the parks because it's a bigger venue and would be safer for those attending it."