Flore bonfire night and fireworks display cancelled for first time in 55 years over coronavirus concerns

The annual bonfire and fireworks display in Flore has been cancelled for the first time in its 55-year history because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Uncertainty over visitor safety and whether large events will even be allowed in November forced Flore Scouts Group to axe this year's event at Brodie Lodge Playing Field.

Mike Dowson, from the group, said they waited for as long as they could to make the unwanted decision, despite worries over liability and buying stock they did not need.

"We just can't risk putting it on, we may be allowed to as the rules may not be the same in November but we didn't want to be stuck with thousands of burgers and fireworks we can't use," he said.

The Flore bonfire night usually attracts around 3,000 people and Mike said even with half that number, social distancing would be very hard to achieve safely in the field.

The organiser, who has been involved for six years, also does not want to help the spread of the virus and cause any infections or death as a result of the event.

The fireworks, booked a year in advance, have been put back to 2021 while the organisers usually start in June but decided to wait until September to see if it would be viable or not.

Mike said little had changed in the events landscape to convince them to go ahead but believes next year's bonfire night - already booked for Sunday, November 7 - will be bigger and better than ever.

"It's not ideal but it's the right decision, I believe," he added.