ORGANISERS of Whalley's famous Pickwick Night were left red-faced after being forced to tell a crowd of visitors that they'd "lost" their celebrity guest.

Blackburn Rovers manager Graeme Souness had been due to kick off three-hours of festive entertainment in the village and hundreds of people had gathered to see the official opening.

But after turning up in Whalley at 5.45pm, Mr Souness got stuck in traffic after being advised to move his car.

Today he blamed "over officious" police officers for preventing him getting back into the village after he had missed a turning and said he would be delighted to return to the event next year, providing he was provided with a parking space.

Organisers said that after they had been informed he wanted to leave the event early, they gave him directions to move his car to a nearby car park.

But as they anxiously waited on stage for him to return, he disappeared.

The Rev Chris Sterry, vicar of Whalley, was official announcer on the night. He said: "I met Graeme beforehand and he was fine. I asked him for autographs and he was as right as rain.

"He went to move his car and I was on the platform for the official opening while Norman Atty, the chairman of the local Chamber of Trade and Police Inspector Bob Ford went to look for him. There were hundreds of people waiting and I saw Norman push his way through the crowds and say to me 'He's gone!'.

"I didn't know what to say, the Mayor, Alan Yearing, was behind me and I told him he would have to do the opening instead and he did a really nice speech.

"Then I had to get on the microphone and say to the crowds: 'Unfortunately Graeme Souness has got lost and we don't know where he is!'

"There were an awful lot of kids there but we managed to get through it.

"It wouldn't have mattered if it hadn't been someone so famous.

"It would also have been easier if he had just been stuck in traffic on the way in. At least we could have explained that but a lot of people had already seen him arrive."

Norman Atty, said: "Graeme was trying to move his car because he wanted to get away early.

"We told him to go into the car park behind The Swan and gave him directions but he seemingly missed the turning into the car park.

"We believe he turned his car round and tried to get into Whalley but obviously it was very busy and I think he lost patience with the traffic." Police in Blackburn confirmed that there had been some minor disorder involving juveniles at the event and one person had been arrested for carrying an offensive weapon.

They also said there had been some traffic problems involving children moving traffic cones and people parking in the wrong place.

The entire village had been transported back to Victorian times for the annual Pickwick Night with shop owners and villagers donning traditional costumes to sell Yuletide gifts and fare.

All money raised at the Pickwick Night will be donated to local groups and charities.

Mr Souness said the Rovers manager would be "delighted" to attend and officially open next year's Pickwick Night event but said "over officious" police officers had prevented him from getting back into the village after he had missed the turning for The Swan car park.