A HUGE charity concert, planned for the Ribble Valley on Friday evening, is expected to go ahead - despite problems which threatened a cancellation.

The 'Last Night Of The Proms' style extravaganza has hit problems because huge crowds are expected. But organisers are confident the baton will be raised on time.

The concert will be held at Clitheroe Castle bandstand, where a special licence has had to be secured so that capacity crowds of over 1,800 people can be accommodated in designated areas around the bandstand.

Graham Jagger, of Ribble Valley Council and licence holder for the bandstand said: "We have been in negotiations with the organisers over numbers of people allowed, toilet facilities and emergency lighting.

"We have a duty to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the audience which has caused headaches for the organisers." The final problem is emergency lighting which, by law, has to be in place just in case there is a power cut.

Roland Hailwood, one of the concert co-ordinators and master of ceremonies, said: "We are hoping the snag with the lighting will be sorted out.

"This is a case where an event has become a victim of its own success but we are confident everything will go as planned."

Young Ribble Valley musician and former Clitheroe Royal Grammar School pupil Giles Horner, 20, teamed up with his former classmate Alex Markham, 19, of Burnley, to arrange the concert.

It is is expected to raise thousands of pounds for the Cancer Research Campaign and NCH Action for Children campaign.

Visitors will hear world class soprano Carrie Steingold, a 40-strong orchestra of the regions top young musicians and the massed choirs of several local churches and schools.

Entrance is free but it is hoped visitors will give generously to collections.

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