WAR veterans taking part in Blackrod's Remembrance Sunday Parade this year will have to gather at the war memorial instead of their traditional meeting place -- after police fears over safety.

Chief Insp Peter Holden has written to several organisations in Blackrod and Horwich which hold events on public roads, asking them to review their routes.

The Horwich police chief spoke about his concerns at Monday's meeting of Blackrod Town Council and tried to allay fears that the police might be stopping all such parades from going ahead.

Members of Blackrod Royal British Legion and civic dignitaries have traditionally gathered in the lay-by next to the Manchester Road club before collecting wreaths from inside the building, walking in procession across the road to the cemetery for prayers by the cenotaph and then making their way to St Katharine's Church.

But this year they will simply gather by the cenotaph to avoid any problems while crossing Manchester Road.

Mr Holden said: "We are looking at the best use of our resources and I have to consider the safety of the public as well as having a responsibility to my staff for health and safety.

"Lots of these types of parades were started more than 50 years and the amount of traffic has changed enormously. I don't want to interfere with the events, but simply ask organisations to look at them again."

Cllr Pat Barrow feared the change in the arrangement would cause confusion and lead to more problems.

She said: "We only ask for five minutes of police time to guide everyone across the road."

Cllr John Monaghan said: "If we meet at the cemetery then it ceases to be a parade. There is no need to change the plans."

However Danny Draper, secretary of Blackrod Royal British Legion, claimed he and other committee members were happy to help out the police.

He said: "It only means meeting at the other side of the road and Manchester Road is very busy, so we understand why the police suggested the change."