A RURAL dance festival has been told to finish fours earlier after complaints from residents.

The Full Phat dance festival is taking place this Saturday in Howgill Lane, Rimington, and was originally granted a licence by Ribble Valley Council for music to go on until 6am on Sunday morning.

Residents near to the site opposed these plans and handed in a 63 name petition to the council along with 18 letters objecting to the event going ahead.

A special meeting of the licensing sub committee met in Clitheroe yesterday and councillors took the decision to shorten the licence to play music by four hours.

Event organisers Ian O'Reilly, 39, and Emma Robinson, 27, farm in Rimington and said the festival would still be a success.

The couple hope to attract up to 1,500 people to the event in order to raise more than £10,000 for North West and Yorkshire air ambulance services.

Mr O'Reilly said: "We have nine live bands scheduled for the afternoon and DJs at night and we are not overly fussed about being restricted to 2am.

"I can't see it really being an issue now and really it's only hardened festival-goers who come to the event to enjoy their music."

The charity angle was prompted by Emma's sister Andrea Robinson, who underwent spinal surgery several years ago.

Due to the unavailability of an air ambulance to take her from the Royal Preston Hospital to Burnley General following the operation she suffered permanent damage and is now semi paralysed.

"It's also about us being a rural community and any one of use could need that service in the future," added Mr O'Reilly.

Councillors were happy with the application and felt the shortening of hours suited all parties involved.

"It has been a difficult decision for us to make but we agree with the license and that it's a valid application," said Coun Joyce Holgate, who chaired the meeting.

The police will have a hi-visibility presence in Rimington for the duration of the event.