Bonfire celebrations moved again

Annual bonfire night celebrations in Wolverhampton have been moved for the second time in days – amid fears fireworks would frighten horses competing at the city's racecourse nearby.

The annual celebrations in West Park were to take place on November 7, but were moved to avoid them clashing with Wolves' home game against Arsenal. Leisure bosses then announced the celebrations would be on November 6.

But today they moved them again following fears by Wolverhampton Racecourse bosses that hundreds of exploding fireworks would cause a nightmare for horses racing on the night.

Jonn Penney, spokesman for Wolverhampton Civic Halls, which organises the event, said: "We originally moved the date so it didn't clash with the Arsenal game and we have now brought it another day forward.

"The racecourse told us it was holding a meet on November and were concerned the fireworks would scare the horses.

"The last thing we would want to do is upset our good friends and neighbours at the racecourse and so we have moved it forward again to November 5, which is actually bonfire night."

Wolverhampton Racecourse spokeswoman Amanda Thomas said today: "It would have been a health and safety problem with the horses because they get frightened by fireworks.

"We brought this up and the organisers have kindly agreed to move the event."

Each year around 12,000 people flood through the gates of the park for the bonfire night celebrations, which includes hundreds of fireworks and a 50ft bonfire.

Organisers are expecting even more this year after the city's other display at Hickman Park in Bilston was axed because it "undermined" the West Park display and damaged the site.

West Park will open at 5.30pm, before a children's display at 7pm. The bonfire will be lit at 7.30pm and the fireworks display will start at 8.30pm. Admission is £3.50 and £2.50 for children.