ULVERSTON Lantern Festival organisers have apologised after hundreds of people struggled to get into Ford Park for the annual event's firework finale.

The event attracted thousands of people to the town, and has widely been acknowledged as a success.

But due to there being only one gate open at the park's main entrance – as opposed to the usual two – a huge queue built as people flocked to the entertainment.

Now Lantern Festival bosses and Ford Park chiefs have vowed to address the situation to avoid a repeat next year.

Chairman of the Lantern Festival Committee, Chris Nelson, said: "Ford Park has been the home of the Lantern Festival for many years and we want that to continue. It is a fantastic venue.

"We raised issues about the entrance some 18 months ago and understood something was going to be done about it, but that has not yet happened.

"We knew it was going to be busy, and we carried out extensive health and safety assessments and spoke to the police before the event.

"We had more stewards on the night, but there were problems with the volume of people and the time it took them to get into the park, for which we apologise.

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"Our discussions with Ford Park Trustees and management have been carried out in spirit of co-operation because we both want a practical and manageable solution to the issue that has been created by closing off one of the gateways into the park."

In previous years, the main entrance to the park has been complemented by a side entrance. But that is now blocked off due to building work on what will become an exclusive housing estate.

There is a further entrance by the Coach House Cafe, but that was used by few people on the night.

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Ali Alger, chief executive of Ford Park Community Group, said: "This is an ongoing process. We met with the Lantern Festival Committee to work through this and their desire was for there to be an additional entrance near to the existing one.

"It is not a straightforward matter, however, as the wall is Grade II listed and we have to think really carefully about where we are asking for planning permission.

"It is really important that we hold events of this nature. Were' committed to finding a solution and need to meet with the Lantern Festival committee again to take things forward."

One of the options being explored is the creation of a new entrance to the park across from St Mary's Walk.

That would be used as a link for hospice staff, patients and their families to access the park. An application has not yet been submitted but work on one is under way.