The lights are out for Bradford on Avon’s fireworks display this year after an appeal for more helpers proved unsuccessful.

The popular annual event, which attracts about 3,000 people, has been organised by the BOA Fireworks Committee – made up of parents of pupils attending Christ Church, Fitzmaurice and St Laurence schools – since the mid 1990s.

Over the years, it has developed to include children’s activities, food and drink stalls, a fun fair, live bands, and the spectacular firework display, raising substantial amounts of money which is distributed equally among the three schools.

But despite an appeal for new members, a unanimous decision was made at last Wednesday’s committee meeting to cancel this year’s event, which was due to take place in the Beehive Field on November 8.

Russell Cole, chairman of the committee, said: “The committee regretfully had to make a decision. We have to be convinced that we have sufficient voluntary help at all levels to ensure the safety and success of the event and unfortunately this was not the case.”

The committee has been concerned for the past two years that, despite repeated appeals, new planning committee members and volunteers on the day have not been forthcoming in sufficient numbers.

A final appeal appeared on the schools’ websites urging parents to attend last Wednesday’s meeting, to no avail.

Mr Cole, whose children attend Fitzmaurice and St Laurence, said: “We will continue to try to recruit a new team for next year.”