Battle bonfire and fireworks CANCELLED

The decision was made due to the poor state of the battlefield, which was left looking like a mud-bath following the annual Battle of Hastings re-enactment earlier this month.

A small bonfire will be lit on the Abbey Green as usual and there will be a scaled-back procession.

Anyone from outside the area who is considering visiting the event is being asked to stay away.

In a statement issued this afternoon, Battel Bonfire Boyes said: “Due to the ground conditions on the battlefield following the reenactment weekend (October 13 and 14) we are unable to use the battlefield for our celebrations and therefore have no choice but to cancel this years main bonfire and firework display on Saturday November 3.

“We apologise to those who have supported us throughout 2012 and are disappointed that we have been left without our main site.

“Unfortunately there are no other sites with suitable access and egress within the town.

“We would like to stress this was not a position we wanted to be in and the cancellation has not been taken due to any foreseen weather.

“To keep up the tradition of bonfire in Battle a small token fire will be lit on the Abbey Green on November 3 along with a reduced size procession.

“The Abbey Green however will be fully fenced off and there is no additional or dedicated public viewing area for this.

“Our road closure will still be implemented to allow this to happen.

“If there are any further updates these will be advertised on our Twitter feed, which is @battlebonfire”

* Full story in this Friday’s Battle Observer.