LANCASHIRE Fire and Rescue is backing our campaign to keep the flames of the Witton Park bonfire alive.

Blackburn Station Commander Jim Owen said: "Although in an ideal world we would like to see bonfire night outlawed, we accept that people do want to celebrate it.

"If they are going to do so we would prefer them to do it in a controlled environment, like that of Witton Park."

"The fire is always well marshalled and people are on hand should anything go wrong. The same protection is not immediately on hand for those attending smaller, unorganised fires."

The £3,500 fireworks display and the fire will be cordoned off, and marshals from the Rotaract Club patrol the park.

St John's Ambulance Brigade have been attending the event for the past 15 years.

Geoff Moss, Chairman of the bonfire committee and vice president of the Rotaract, said: " We always take as many precautions as possible.

"The fireworks display is done by a professional company, and sealed off with crowd barriers.

"The bonfire itself is ringed off with 6ft high construction barriers and we spend the night patrolling them to make sure nobody gets through.

"People are not allowed to bring their own fireworks and we don't not allow sparklers on to the site. We have replaced those with light sticks.

"The St John's Ambulance Brigade are on hand every year to administer first aid, should anything happen.

"This year we are going to liaise more closely with the fire service. We want to get them more involved. We are also looking at the possibility of an inspection by the Health and Safety Executive."

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