THE cancellation of Burnley’s annual funfair could be a “blessing in disguise”, a leading councillor has said.

Coun Charles Bullas said he hoped the event - which was due to start this week in Towneley Park - would now be switched to August, when it would be the school holidays.

Organisers the Showmen’s Guild pulled out of the funfair on Monday after claiming the park was too waterlogged to be safe for rides.

But they have not ruled out returning to Burnley later in the summer, when they hope the weather will be drier.

Coun Bullas, Burnley Council’s executive member for leisure, said: “The Showmen’s Guild say the area will be too waterlogged and they are reconsidering it for August.

“I think that would be a blessing in disguise because kids are not on holiday yet.

“It is not a blow because we are hopeful they will revive it for August and then it will not hit our income.”

Around 30 traders were due to be on Towneley Park on Wednesday to set up their rides before the five-day funfair commenced on Thursday.

Organisers have partly blamed having to move the fair from its usual home at Fulledge recreation ground, which is being redeveloped.

Val Midgley, secretary of the Lancashire Showmen’s Guild, said the cancellation of the event was a “total blow”.

And she added: “Towneley Park is absolutely waterlogged, although it is not our normal site.

“The park was the only available site while Fulledge is being redeveloped and that was a weather-permitting deal.

“There’s no chance of the traders going on there this week but whether or not we return later in the summer is down to the council. Hopefully we can come back in August.”

The funfair, which is one of the largest in Lancashire, had been held at Fulledge for more than 50 years. Organisers hope to revert back to the site next summer.