Plea to keep the numbers down

THOUSANDS of visitors are expected to pour into Lewes for the town s world-famous Bonfire Night festivities.

But, thankfully, the crowds should not be as great as in some previous years as Monday evenings are not usually a favourite time for going out on an autumn night.

And the Lewes Bonfire Safety Group, which examines the risks posed by large numbers of people visiting the town, is keen to keep numbers down as much as possible.

Sussex Police planning officer Malcolm Richards, a member of the group, said: 'This event is legendary in Lewes and is very much part of the town s culture.

'On that basis we would urge visitors to think twice before they make the decision to come to Lewes.

'The Bonfire Safety Group is concerned about the large number of people who may try to pack into the narrow streets of Lewes. Crowd control is therefore a key element in the way the event is handled.

'We would urge people to attend local celebrations before making the decision to come to Lewes. Crowds can make this historic event very unpleasant and can raise potential risks.

In particular, parents with young children, the elderly or those who dislike crowded environments are urged to stay away from the Lewes bonfire celebrations.

Added Mr Richards: 'Lewes Bonfire is proud to be putting on the largest street event in Sussex. But we urge those who live outside of Lewes who were planning to come to the town for the bonfire celebrations to seriously reconsider.

The Lewes Bonfire Safety Group consists of representatives from East Sussex County Council, Lewes District Council, Sussex Police, Sussex Ambulance Service, East Sussex Fire Brigade, South Central Trains, the Bonfire Societies and the Bonfire Council.