LOCALS living in a seaside town say it's ruined by tourists every summer – so now they pray for rain.
The Claremont Gala returned to Blackpool this weekend after a three-year hiatus – but some residents were dreading it.
They say visitors swarm the town for the event, causing traffic chaos and a general "nightmare".
The gala, which is a free event for families, was put on hold amid the Covid pandemic.
And while some locals were looking forward to heading along and making the most of the gala with their youngsters, others weren't.
The event sees several roads closed to make way for the procession, before the crowning of the gala queen at Claremont Park.
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Local taxi driver Pamela Callard, 67, said the closures cause chaos on the surrounding streets.
She told The Sun: "It's a bit of a nuisance that the roads will be closed.
"But it won't be going on for too long thank goodness.
"However, I think it's going to be a washout anyway with the rain."
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Tim Brown, 61, echoed Pamela's concerns.
He said: "I don't think it's a great idea having it here.
"I don't think people want it really.
"There'll be lots of traffic as they close the roads and everything will be clogged up anyway.
"It's all a bit of a nuisance and is going to be very noisy."
Another resident, who only gave his name as Bob, said he also worried about roads.
Bob said: "It'll be a nightmare with the traffic.
"The road closure have been up for a while but that won't make things any easier.
"Everything is gonna be clogged up with traffic and I don't think people want the gala here."
It's all a bit of a nuisance and is going to be very noisy.
However, others said they loved the gala – and were glad it had finally returned.
Travel worker Mike Peach, 44, said: "I think it's a great idea.
"This is just what the area needs with some family fun."
Finance worker Mike Dennis, 35, said: "Some of the families round here don't have a lot of money so to have free fun fair rides and a procession is great.
"People are killjoys if they don't want that sort of thing.
"We need to brighten the place up."
Kathryn Blunt, 38, said: "My daughter's in the brownies and she's going to be in the procession.
"She's really excited about it and can't wait.
"A few people are complaining that it will be too noisy and there will be too much traffic but I think it's great for the area.
"It's what we need and something for the kids to look forward to.
"We're all excited for it."
The Sun has approached gala organisers for comment.
It's not unusual for locals to speak out when they feel tourists are ruining their town.
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Brits living in one picturesque seaside town say it is being wrecked by visitors in their cars.
Elsewhere, others living by another beach say they are at their wits end thanks to reckless tourists driving onto the sand and getting stuck.
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