ORGANISERS have been accused of 'ruining the party' after scaling down a massive music festival because it was becoming too successful.

A large portion of the £140,000 budget for next month's Arts In The Park event in Witton Park, Blackburn, has been set aside for security after 15,000 revellers attended last year.

But critics say lesser known acts will not attract large crowds in the first place.

In previous years residents have partied to the sounds of chart acts the Cheeky Girls, the Proclaimers, the Wonder Stuff and the Lightning Seeds, whose cult hit Three Lions was a fans' World Cup anthem.

Now the reduced spending on bands means that this year's headliners are a group that some local music fans said they had never heard of.

Former Blackburn with Darwen Council executive member for leisure and culture, Coun John Milburn, admitted: "When I found out who was on I was a bit miffed. We could have got at least one act out of the top drawer."

But he said that councillors had felt more security was needed after the large attendance last year.

The hours of the two-day free festival on July 14 and 15 have also been reduced, with the Saturday night stage shutting at 9pm, an hour and a half earlier than last July.

But the council was accused of a small-minded approach and missing out on the positive image and financial rewards of attracting thousands of visitors to the town from across Lancashire.

Critics said that lesser known acts would reduce the attendance and therefore make the increased security redundant.

And they said that more money should be invested in the event so that it can become one of the highlights of the East Lancashire events calendar.

Peter Barton, who runs Rock Artist Management in Clitheroe, said: "If you cut back on spending you lose out on top bands - no one wants to sit around watching a bunch of security guards. Big names will pull in the crowds."

Mr Barton, who plays bass with The Animals, added: "I have just put acts forward for a blues festival in Wales.

"It is being held in a small village, but they know that big names brings people in and create money for their area.

"Blackburn has the facilities for a big event but it is not using them to its advantage."

Knuzden-based music tour organiser Alan Cottam, who looks after rock band Nazareth, agreed.

He said: "Blackburn needs to push itself into people's musical pysches. It is hardly a hotbed for culture.

"Pendle Council has the Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival, which is a very profitable exercise for them.

"Such music events can bring the money in if they are organised correctly.

"Blackburn with Darwen Council has financial constraints and other priorities, like spending money on recycling, but I am sure the people would like to see a little bit more for their money."

The artist line-up was decided in April. This year the headlining act is 1960s ska and reggae band Toots and the Maytals, with Oliver/Dawson Saxon and Darwen band Gone Beggin also taking to the main stage.

Labour's Coun Milburn added: "It could have got out of control and we want residents to be safe while they have fun."

He said he had suggested that this year the Mela, which showcases Asian youth culture and music, and is to be held on July 7 and 8, and Arts in the Park be joined together as a cost effective measure that would allow the council to book bigger acts.

He said: "We talk about community cohesion; one big family event for the whole borough would have done that."

Current executive member for leisure and culture, Conservative Coun Michael Law-Riding, said that a joint event was something the council might consider in the future.

He added: "Next year we want to improve the events and give them a higher profile."