THE annual fireworks display in Sherdley Park will not take place this year.

St Helens Borough Council, which organises the Spark in the Park event to coincide with Bonfire Night, explained it had made the decision on public safety grounds.

The local authority said it was keeping in line with the rest of Merseyside and other local areas after assessing the potential impact it would have on public safety.

The council says no free firework events like the annual Sherdley Park event are taking place in the region.

Spark in the Park usually attracts thousands of visitors each year. The event did not take place in 2020 due to Covid-19.

The council believes that with many other free large-scale activities not taking place this autumn thousands more spectators would choose to visit Spark in the Park.

In a statement the council said: "In consultation with the borough’s Safety Advisory Group – made up of council services such as licensing, health and safety, traffic and event management, alongside partner agencies such as Merseyside Police, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and North West Ambulance Service – the council feels that the additional crowds would not be manageable and would pose a public safety risk.

"The money allocated from this year’s show will instead be used to support diversionary activities within local communities to manage the anti-social behaviour aspects associated with this time of year, as well as funding smaller town centre events in the New Year."

Councillor Anthony Burns, cabinet member for wellbeing, culture and heritage, said: “As a council, along with our partners, we have a duty to make sure that our events are well managed and with the extra numbers we have concerns over the ability to deliver a high-quality event as usual.

“We're sad that we can't hold Spark in the Park this year but plenty of other exciting free events will be going ahead over the coming months – including Christmas, details of which we’ll share once everything is confirmed.”

Police say they support the council's decision.

St Helens Community policing Chief Inspector Paul Holden said: “We are aware that the decision has been taken by St Helens Council to cancel this year’s Spark in the Park event.

“Working with the council we have a responsibility to keep members of the public safe at all public events and while we understand that people will be disappointed with the decision but we would support the council.

“This time of year is traditionally a very busy time for us and we understand that people will still want to celebrate the Bonfire period.

“As with every year we will work with our partners at the council and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service to remind people to stay safe and be sensible.

“Patrols will be out and about and my officers will be engaging with the local communities but antisocial and nuisance behaviour will not be tolerated and we will continue to take action where necessary.”