ORGANISERS of Blackrod Carnival have also received a similar safety warning from the police, despite changing the route two years ago.

The carnival committee was asked to alter the route after police fears over the increase in traffic in the town.

The carnival procession had traditionally started in Scot Lane, but after the Middlebrook complex opened local police became concerned that an accident could happen because of the heavy traffic.

The committee fought hard to stop any changes to the route, but ended up altering the meeting point to Greenbarn Way.

Chairman Margaret Barlow, who has been involved in organising the annual event for 10 years, said: "People from Scot Lane and The Cheethams Estate were quite unhappy about the change, but we were worried that if we didn't comply we might lose the carnival altogether.

"We were very disappointed, but had to concede to the police's request."

The committee has now been warned that if road closures are required they will have to apply for permission from Bolton Council, and Chief Insp Peter Holden has expressed concerns over the high costs of policing such an event.

Organisers of Horwich Carnival are also worried about the future of their event after also receiving similar correspondence from Mr Holden.

He told the committee: "In respect of Horwich Carnival, I am becoming additionally concerned over the length of the parade and its route, and also the arrangement at the end of the parade to return traffic to normality."

Members of the committee will get together tonight for their annual meeting to discuss the future of the carnival.