VOLUNTEERS say they have been "cast aside" as councillors take the reins of an annual Christmas event which has been organised by a community group for more than a decade.

The Farnworth Christmas lights switch-on, run by volunteers for 14 years with support from the council, will be taking place again this year – but without the involvement of the local community events team.

Christine Collins, a Farnworth Community Events member, says volunteers have been left in the dark as councillors have taken control of the event.

Ex-councillor Jean Gillies, who was heavily involved in running the event before she was elected and continued helping the group throughout her time at the council, has also accused the new organisers of "micro-managing" activities.

She said: “To take it away from a community group that’s been running it for 14 years – it’s appalling. Councillors are there to serve the public. They are supposed to be supporting groups."

Farnworth and Kearsley First councillor Maureen Flitcroft was chosen to organise this year's Christmas event, with support from her colleague Cllr Lisa Weatherby, at a neighbourhood management meeting in June which eight of the nine local councillors attended.

She said: "We had not been contacted by ex-Cllr Gillies or any members of any community or residents groups regarding the organising of the 2019 event.

"Last year, there was much confusion with the organisation process, with ex-Cllr Gillies stressing the point that ‘it should all be boxed-off by end of June’ or things would no longer be available for booking.

"However, following the June 26 meeting, I waited another four weeks just in case messages were yet to be received. No contact was made, so I began sending emails to groups that had taken part in the past and sent invitation emails to local schools."

Mrs Gillies claims she was told she could no longer sit on the Farnworth Community Events committee when she was elected and that volunteers continued to organise the event with their fundraising efforts topped up by a council funding.

Cllr Flitcroft added: "This year’s event is proving to be extremely popular with a wider range of participants from all three wards of Harper Green, Kearsley and Farnworth confirmed. Everyone who would like to take part, will be included, where time allows.

"It is hoped that this year’s event will be another huge success with new acts and performers, as well as some familiar ones too."