Guidance has been issued on restrictions around upcoming faith and community events for the remainder of the year.

The restrictions relate to upcoming events including: Prophet Muhammad's birthday march (28/29 October), Halloween (31 October), Bonfire celebrations (5 - 7 November), Remembrance Sunday (8 November), Diwali (14 November), Hanukkah (10 – 18 December) and the switching on of Christmas lights.

The Lancashire Resilience Forum (LRF) said in line with national restrictions on numbers at events and to avoid households mixing, the decision has been taken to prohibit large-scale events to mark these occasions in Lancashire.

Angie Ridgwell, Chair of the Lancashire Resilience Forum, said, "We know these are important events for everyone in our community and we're sorry that we have to do this. We haven't taken these decisions lightly and are really grateful for your support. By following this guidance we will all limit the spread of coronavirus and help keep people safe.

“While Lancashire continues to experience a rapid increase of coronavirus cases that puts the county among the highest level of transmissions in the country, large scale community events create too great a risk for the public.

“It is vital that we all work together to follow these regulations and avoid the temptation to break the rules on visiting other people’s homes or gardens to celebrate these events putting yourself and others at risk.

“We are working with various faith and business groups as well as charitable and community organisations – such as the British Legion – to see whether alternative arrangements can be made to mark these occasions.”

Councillor Miles Parkinson, Leader of Hyndburn Borough Council said; “This year we would like to encourage our residents to mark these occasions in a different way, to keep our community safe. On Remembrance Sunday the usual commemorative services will not be taking place in Hyndburn and we are asking residents instead to join us from their homes in a doorstep two minute silence at 11am, which we’ll signal by the launch of maroon flares in our various townships. Those who wish to can go along to lay wreaths at our war memorials throughout the day, providing they observe social distancing rules, and we urge people not to congregate at the war memorials at 11am.”

Trick or treating will not be permitted this year as it would increase the risk of household transmissions.

Hyndburn will not be able to run its traditional Christmas tree switch-on events this year. Cllr Parkinson said; “Instead, we’re improving the quality of the Christmas lights across the Borough this year, to bring festive cheer to our townships and welcome shoppers to our high streets”.