After the annual Easter fun fair had to be cancelled this year due to Covid, families and friends can now rejoice as a special bank holiday event WILL be staged at the end of this month.

The bank holiday fun fair in Witton Park will return to Blackburn on May 27, and will run throughout the half term, finishing on Sunday June 6.

And this year, to say thank you to all those who have worked relentlessly during the pandemic, there will be free rides for NHS staff.

A spokesperson for the fun fair, which is organised by the Lancashire section of the Showman's Guild, said: "We're delighted to be coming back to Blackburn with a new Bank Holiday Fun Fair on Witton Park beginning May 27.

"In recognition of the hard work of healthcare professionals during the difficult past 12 months, we will be giving free rides on the first day to all those can show an NHS ID (one per person on each ride).

"We will also sending some ride tickets to other carers and key workers within the borough of Blackburn with Darwen.

"We will also be running some competitions on Facebook.

"So don't worry if you don't work for the NHS, you might still be able to enjoy all the fun of the fair for free."

Entry to the fun fair is free and rides start from £2.

For more information, head to @BlackburnFunFair on Facebook.