Bonfire society issues safety warning ahead of big night

Organisers of Littlehampton's bonfire night have issued safety warnings ahead of the big event.

Taking place on Saturday, Littlehampton Bonfire Society’s celebrations will include fancy dress competitions, processions, a poppy wreath laying at the war memorial and the grand torchlight procession, which will feature over fifty entries from across the south.

The illuminated floats will include 2015 winners Littlehampton Churches, hoping to repeat the success of their Garden of Eden creation last year.

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Seven marching bands will provide the music - ranging from brass and bagpipe to jazz and samba, and Miss Bonfire, 12-year-old Holly Davie, will ride on her specially constructed float.

The lighting of the bonfire by John Burchfield, the society’s commander in chief, will be followed by the aerial firework display.

Organisers hope to raise £10,000 on the night through street bucket donations.

Beneficiaries will include disabled swimming group the Sussex Squids, Wick Dynamos Junior Football Club, the disabled charity Enable Me and the West Downs Neighbourhood Watch Task Force.

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Richard Cooper, society secretary, said: “We are proud that despite ever increasing costs of staging our event, every penny of our collection continues to go to the charities and good causes we support. We charge no entry fee, but we do ask spectators to show their support by donating as much as they can to our collection buckets.”

Littlehampton Bonfire Society has also issued a plea to spectators attending bonfire night not to purchase balloons, glow sticks and other carnival novelties from uninvited street traders.

Residents and spectators cannot park along the procession routes, and organisers have said that drinking alcohol is prohibited.

They have also asked spectators not to bring bring sparklers as they can be dangerous in a crowded environment, not to play with fireworks and not to pick up discarded torches.

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Lost children will be taken to St John Ambulance Mobile Base in Banjo Road.

A St John Ambulance first aid point will be located in Banjo Road on the seafront.

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