VOLUNTEERS claim they were hit with an anti-social warning as they prepared to sing for charity in a town centre.

Charity Aid, headed up by Burnley-born Peter Quinn, have built up a decent following across the country having staged performances across the North and the Midlands.

They had just set up in Victoria Square in Bolton when they were told to pack up.

Mr Quinn, leader of the group, said: “This is the first time any council has done this and it’s a disgrace.

“We sing in Bolton about two days a year. We were there in August and there was no problem. We’ve done over 1,000 performances and raised £700,000.

“Bolton Council knows us well and we expected they’d be proud of what we’ve done. No-one has treated us this shabbily.”

He added: “When we arrived we were challenged by enforcement officers.

“They invoked an anti-social behaviour rule. To claim charity singing is anti-social is another insult.”

Mr Quinn, who lived in Nelson, appeared on this morning's Jeremy Vine on 5 to discuss the issue. 

A spokesman for Bolton Council said: “The group had applied for a charity collection permit but unfortunately, under the town centre Public Spaces Protection Order, this does not grant permission to play amplified music.

“Our PSPO officers engaged with the group to request that they turn the background music off but explained they could sing unamplified and continue collecting for their chosen charity.

“We understand this may have been disappointing, but it is important that these rules are enforced fairly and consistently.

“We are working to update the advice to clarify what permissions are granted by collection permits.”

Lancashire Telegraph: Peter Quinn and his wife Carole Quinn.

Mr Quinn set the group up after being diagnosed and treated for cancer. The former journalist said: “That was my inspiration to do this and then I got friends involved.

“Having cancer was a life changing experience as I nearly died while being treated for two years. My treatment cost the NHS over £100k, so I thought if one person can cost that much then imagine how many more will cost this.”

Lancashire Telegraph: Peter Quinn with his book.

He said: “Two girls came especially to sing and they were bitterly disappointed. These volunteers gave up their time for a good cause and the council should apologised to them in particular.

“They have left us in a position where we can’t go back to perform in our home town. We feel unwanted and insulted. If they had an issue, they should have told us when they gave us the permit.”

“We have a highly successful book about our history and our highlights include praise from Boris Johnson’s office but Bolton Council have hit a new low with their attitude.”