Littlehampton Bonfire Night organisers urge spectators to be safe

WITH just days until Littlehampton’s Bonfire Night spectacular kicks-off, organisers are warning those wishing to witness the spectacle to keep safe when they have fun.

Final preparations are well underway for the display, which will take place on The Green, on Saturday, October 26.

The Littlehampton Bonfire Society, which organises the annual event, is urging spectators to celebrate safely and follow a few simple rules during the evening.

Bonfire society secretary Richard Cooper said: “Local residents and spectators can help to make it a safe and enjoyable evening for everyone by following the simple advice in the safety leaflet which is being distributed with our Bonfire Night programmes. We hope that everyone will follow this advice, to ensure the safety of both themselves and those around them.”

Revellers are being asked to not pick up the torches from the Torchlight Parade through the town. Many will be discarded along the procession route because they are no longer safe to hold. Marshals at the rear of the parade will pick up the torches.

Those living along the procession route are also urged to keep windows closed to avoid the risk of flying embers.

People must not set off fireworks in the street. It is both dangerous and illegal, carrying a maximum £5,000 fine. Sparklers should also not be brought to the event.

The entire Bonfire Night area – procession route and The Green – is an alcohol exclusion zone. No alcohol is permitted and police may confiscate and dispose of it.

Spectators should keep behind the barriers which line the procession route. Children must not be allowed to sit on the kerbs and prams should not be pushed into the road while the parade is taking place. Laser pens or pointers are not allowed.

Lost children can be taken to the St John Ambulance’s mobile base in Banjo Road.

The society is urging residents and spectators to not park along the procession route, which are subject to road closure orders. Arun District Council and Sussex Police will be enforcing no-parking regulations in roads subject to closures, and any vehicles illegally parked will be ticketed and towed away. Car parking bays in Sea Road will be closed all day and evening.

n For a full preview of Bonfire Night, see next week’s Gazette.