TODAY, the Lancashire Evening Telegraph joins forces in a vital appeal -- one that seeks to keep alive a hugely-popular East Lancashire tradition and that would mean vital funds continue to be raised for needy, local charities.

For, with less than two months to go, the organisers of the annual bonfire and firework display at Blackburn's Witton Park -- one of the biggest fund-raising events in Lancashire -- are calling for it to be saved as it faces going into the red and being cancelled.

The November event attracts huge crowds -- last year, a record 10,000 attended -- and down the years it has poured thousands of pounds into charities.

Blackburn Infirmary, the East Lancashire Hospice, the RSPCA and Marie Curie Cancer Care are among those which have been helped.

This year, the Blackburn-based THOMAS charity, which helps drug addicts and the homeless, is set to be helped.

But, vastly popular and vital as it is, the big Bonfire Night spectacular has a worrying problem -- many people think it is a free show put on by the council and don't realise that there is a need for them to contribute to it.

Yet, though the council does play a significant part -- providing a £1,000 grant and the use of Witton Park -- it has not been a council-run event for years. It is run by the town's Rotary and Rotaract clubs.

But because too few realise this, it is suffering from a giving crisis. Last year, it raised just £1,600 despite the record crowd -- when the year before £4,000 was collected.

This year, it could cost more than £6,000 to stage the event, with its £3,500 firework show.

They are daunting sums that, the organisers fear, may outstrip donations, making it a loss-maker that's axed before it starts -- unless East Lancashire's firms and folk come to the rescue.

We are sure they will. For this event is not only a part of our region's heritage in which people can take pride and support as being "theirs," East Lancashire's generosity towards those in need of help is legendary.

And when today we appeal to you to save the bonfire, we have every confidence that you will.

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