A POPULAR Christmas parade in Westhougton has been cancelled -- after an application to hold the event was handed in too late.

Plans for a street procession, performances by bands and an appearance by Santa were scrapped when the organiser, former mayor Peter Finch, was denied a £500 grant.

He has slammed the decision makers on the Three Towns Forum -- which covers Westhoughton, Horwich and Blackrod -- and has accused them of being unfestive Scrooges.

Mr Finch, who chairs the Westhoughton Carnival Committee, said: "The parade would have livened up the Victorian market and it's something we've done for six years.

"This year we decided to apply for some money to do something for the children. I can't believe the forum said it was too late."

He placed the application on November 6, three weeks before the event this Sunday.

Councillors on the Forum, however, while taking issue with the timing, also believed the application lacked enough information on which to base a decision.

Meanwhile, Lib Dem councillor for Westhoughton David Wilkinson, said the parade should be run on the same lines as those held in Blackrod and Horwich -- using private cash.

Mr Wilkinson added: "It's a shame this event will not be taking place but there was a lack of proper organisation in submitting the request for money.

"We looked at the plans on their merit and decided we would have needed more information. Since it was not possible to gain that information within a suitable timeframe, we decided not to agree to a grant."

Honorary Alderman Finch has claimed there is a hidden political agenda, a suggestion dismissed by Cllr Wilkinson and Cllr Barbara Ronson, chairman of the Forum.

Cllr Ronson said: "The Forum is made up of the three, main political parties. There just wasn't enough information.

"Of course we are sad that the event has been pulled but the Victorian Market will go ahead as planned."

The festivities have become annual events in recent years and have always manage to draw in a large crowd.

The Victorian Market will take place on Market Street and many of the stallholders will choose to dress up in period costumes.