ORGANISERS of Whalley's annual Pickwick Night have sought to allay fears that this year's event will not be as good as usual.

Despite the December 6 event being confined to a stretch of road between the Dog Inn and the junction with Station Road, Pickwick Night committee chiefs said the usual attractions would still be there.

Neil Martin, chairman and event manager, said he was confident the event could accommodate up to 5,000 visitors.

He said: "We have scaled down road closures but not the event as a whole.

"The event is as big and as good as ever. There have been changes about event planning but we are working with Ribble Valley Council to put on as good an event as ever.

"We can accommodate up to 55 stalls and these will be held between the Dog Inn and Station Road as usual.

"There are changes but it's nice to have these and I think people will be surprised by what we have on offer."

As well as stalls, there will be face painting, a Father Christmas and other attractions for young and old.

The reduction in road closures was prompted by Ribble Valley Council's safer events policy.

Organisers have devoted time to meeting the policy, meaning a reduced area of the village being closed off.

Traffic heading for the junction of King Street and Accrington Road will no longer face a one way system.