FEARS have been raised that a popular event in Barrow could be cancelled.

Last year’s Carols in the Park event attracted hundreds of people to Barrow Park for a community singalong.

The park’s bandstand was lit up with fairy lights with crowds singing along to popular Christmas carols.

However Tony Moon told The Mail he understood issues to do with health and safety were causing obstacles for this year’s event.

“The council is stating for health and safety reasons it is to dark,” he said.

“It needs to be dark for the lights; another pathetic reason for not supporting the town.”

Colin Garnett, the manager of Barrow’s Business Improvement District, said he had planned to complement the carol singing with a joint event in the town centre.

“I’d be very disappointed if the council cancelled the Carols up the Park event,” he said.

“We were looking to run an event in the town centre which would tie in with Light up the Park.

“This procession would have been led by professional musicians.

“We heard the event was great last year and well attended.

“But Barrow Park is owned by the council and it’s their call.”

However, the council’s assistant director, Keith Johnson, said the event had not been cancelled because the details were yet to be confirmed.

Once the final details are confirmed council bosses would then look at whether or not sufficient health and safety provision was in place.

Carols in the Park took place on December 14 last year.

Entry was free but donations on the day were shared between Women’s Community Matters, St Mary’s Hospice and Mind in Furness.

Shell Walker who attended said: “Loved the carols and enjoying family time and sense of community. Well done to all the organisers, volunteers who helped put this event on.”

Charyl Hamblin added: “We thoroughly enjoyed this event and we are hoping this might become an annual thing.”