A disabled man has slammed the council as disabled parking spaces have been blocked off for Witton Park's Easter fair.

Usual disabled parking bays will be unavailable to use in the car park at Witton Park, due to Blackburn with Darwen Council using the 'necessary' space for the Easter Fair.

Due to the fair, the disabled bays in the park's car park are blocked off to be used for the two-week event.

One regular visitor to the park has branded this "disgusting", however the council has said other spaces are being made available for disabled visitors.

Blackburn’s Easter Fair returns to Witton Country Park from today, Good Friday, and will be open at the park until Sunday, April 14.

With more than 50 rides and attractions, this year there is a new ride, and free ride tickets will be given out on opening day.

However, one daily user of the park is concerned about accessibility measures during the fair for those who need it.

Bernhard Birch, from Blackburn, has a blue badge and visits the park regularly, using the disabled bays to park as he needs the extra space to enter and exit his vehicle.

He said: "There are about eight of these bays and I amongst others use these daily.

"It is disgusting they should be used for this purpose. The council must have agreed to this and will probably say that we could park in the normal car park.

"But I for one need to open my door fully to get out as I have difficulty bending my knees and this is not possible in the tighter parking spaces provided.

"This happened last year and I complained to several people involved in the running of the park, and was told this year they would look into it.

"There is plenty of space to accommodate these small rides without it affecting others."

Once held in the town centre, the fair was moved to Witton Park in the 1960s after the redevelopment of the Market Square.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has said it has made alternative arrangements for blue badge holders who need to use the car park during the duration of the fair.

Martin Eden, strategic director of environment and operations at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “Due to the number of stalls and rides at the funfair, and the available and usable space at Witton Park, it is necessary to use this area of the car park for the fair which has been the case for the last few years.

“However, we will be making further spaces available for blue badge holders by placing advisory signs for disabled bays in a nearby area of the car park for the duration of the funfair.”

Blackburn Easter Fair takes place at Witton Country Park, in Preston Old Road, from Good Friday, March 29, until Sunday, April 14.

It will be open daily from 12pm until 8.30pm. Admission is free at all times and prices start at £2.50 per ride.