ORGANISERS of Blackburn's annual bonfire today appealed to local businesses to help make this year's event a roaring success for the Magic Eye appeal.

Blackburn and Darwen's four Rotaract clubs have written to businesses across Blackburn and Darwen looking for help in covering the estimated £6,000 cost.

Last year's event was nearly cancelled due to lack of support and only went ahead following a Lancashire Evening Telegraph appeal for a new sponsor.

Two came forward - Forbes' solicitors and Brookhouse Holdings Ltd, which owns the India Mill complex in Darwen - and around 15,000 attended Witton Park on the night. More than £5,000 was raised for THOMAS - Those On The Margins Of Society - a charity which aims to help drug addicts back into normal life.

This year's chosen charity is the Magic Eye Appeal, which is being spear-headed by the Lancashire Evening Telegraph.

It aims to raise £200,000 for a state-of-the-art ultrasound endoscopic scanner.

The equipment will benefit the whole of East Lancashire by offering quicker and less traumatic diagnosis of stomach and oesophagus cancer.

The scanner is attached to the end of a flexible tube, which can be passed down the throat to get very close to the source of suspected cancer. It sends back accurate pictures of the cancer growth enabling medics to choose the best course of treatment.

The appeal for help came as walkers began entering our sponsored Magic Eye walks. The six walks will take place in Blackburn, Burnley and Padiham, Hyndburn, Nelson and Colne, the Ribble Valley and Rossendale on Sunday, October 13.

Each will be about 10 miles and take walkers - who can start between 9am, and 10.30am - through some of East Lancashire's prettiest landscapes.

Walkers must be officially entered on the walk in order to receive a sponsorship form.

Entry forms will be printed regularly in the Evening Telegraph.

A telephone hotline -- 01254 293634 - will also be manned by volunteers, Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm, to take entries.

Heather Schofield, chairman of this year's bonfire appeal, said: "Last year's bonfire cost about £6,000 to stage and all profits went to the chosen charity.

"We would like to better last year's donation, and we are appealing for sponsors to cover our costs.

"With expected crowds between 15 and 20,000 people, there is plenty of opportunity to publicise those who care to help us with our event."

She added: "We believe the work done by this appeal is of great benefit to the local community and we hope to raise a considerable amount for them."

The event takes place on Saturday, November 2 and will include a 60ft high by 30ft wide bonfire and a 20 minute firework display.

Cheques should be made payable to the Blackburn Rotaract Club Bonfire Account and sent to Nab Side Cottage, 32 Painter Wood, Billington, BB7 9JD.