THE organiser of a charity fun day, cancelled at short notice, today dismissed rumours he had deceived local people.

The event, due to be held on Sunday at the recreation ground behind Carter Avenue, Hapton, was advertised by organiser Paul Robinson as a fundraiser for the Kirsty Howard Appeal and Francis House Children's Hospice in Manchester.

Mr Robinson, of Keynsham Grove, Burnley, said the cancellation came at 1pm after a 'misunderstanding' with Burnley Council's Parks Department.

He said: "I was gutted. To my knowledge everything was right. I had permission to use the land and had planned it carefully over a number of months.

"I know that some people have been saying I was just doing it for my own ends and raising money illegally but that is not the case. It was not a scam and I am very disappointed that people are saying it was.

"It was to raise money for children dying of cancer in a hospice and I was doing it for them.

"I have raised money for various causes in the past, including the British Heart Foundation. When I saw Kirsty walk out with David Beckham for the England game against Greece I decided to raise money for her appeal."

Pam Daley, the area co-ordinator for Francis House, said: "We were aware of it a long time ago, but heard no more from Paul. We assumed he had been unable to get backing."

Caterers and a fun fair were turned away on Sunday and Mr Robinson was today still trying to find out exactly why his fundraiser was cancelled.

He added: "It took me six or seven months to organise and this happened. I was very upset but wasn't going to argue with the council."

A spokesman for the Parks Department said: "We sent a pack to the organiser asking for insurance details and various other things needed for such an event and it never came back. We can't let people use our recreation grounds if they haven't got adequate insurance and in this case they did not."

But Mr Robinson claims he never received the pack: "I didn't get anything from the Parks Department and as far as I knew they were happy. I think it's a case of crossed wires."

A spokesman for the police said they were not investigating.