ORGANISERS of this year's Darwen Gala are appealing for local businesses and comm-unity groups to take part in the Gala parade.

In previous years, Darwen's factories and churches have decked out wagons with colourful bunting and made the procession through town one to be proud of.

However, apathy appears to have set in recently and the effort has not been the same. Now the organising committee are determined to bring back the old style' parade in August.

There will be cash prizes for the winners and runners-up in both the commercial and community group categories for the best decorated wagon.

The group are also open to the idea of sponsorship of the event if people or organisations cannot spare the time to take part in the parade.

Vanessa Moore, treasurer of the commitee, said: "We are a very small group of volunteers and we do our very best to keep Darwen Gala Day alive and kicking!

"We would welcome any kind of support people may be willing to offer us."

The committee is busy preparing for the event in Borough Road Field and anybody who would like to book a stall should ring June on (01254) 725958.