A VILLAGE will hold its Hallowe'en and fireworks party despite arsonists damaging its playground earlier this year.

The playground, next to Norton Juxta Kempsey Parish Hall, was set alight in September - causing extensive damage to the £140,000 play park.

Despite the attack, the village has forged ahead with various fundraising activities and now plans to hold the festive bonanza at the Parish Hall tomorrow (Saturday) night.

There will be a firework display, fancy dress competition, best-dressed scarecrow contest, barbecue, bar, games and a children's disco.

Claire Fletcher, who manages the hall, said: "We are hoping to bring the community together and have fun really.

"We just want people to know that obviously the fire hasn't affected us. It hasn't affected the park because the park is still open and it will be open on the night because we have had lights put on the hall to focus on the park.

"We just want people to know that just because we had the fire we are still carrying on and the park is open."

The event will begin at 5pm on Saturday, October 29, and will continue until 9pm.

At the time of the fire, Norton juxta Kempsey Parish Council released a statement saying it was "extremely disappointed" about the damage to the playground.

"The council is extremely grateful to a passing parishioner for raising the alarm, and calling the fire brigade, who arrived within minutes," it said.

"Without this prompt action the entire play area would have been destroyed and potentially the parish hall burnt down.

"Following the incident, the community has rallied around to make the remaining play area safe and open for children to enjoy."