ORGANISERS of Ledbury's annual bonfire night celebration are to spend a record amount on fireworks, promising the biggest and best event yet.

The town's Round Table is to fork out around £2,000 for the display, which is being staged by Wiltshire company Event Horizons.

"This is more than we have ever spent on fireworks before," said Neil Morris, of the Round Table. "We are expecting a really spectacular display."

The annual firework display and bonfire has been one of the high points on Ledbury's social calendar for more than 40 years.

The event is being held at Ledbury Park, by permission of the executors of the late Edward Biddulph.

"We're very grateful to the executors for allowing us to hold the event in the park. For many years Edward Biddulph allowed us to hold the event there," said Mr Morris.

Mr Biddulph, the owner of the park, died suddenly last October, just days before last year's event.

Until recently, the display was staged by Round Table members, until regulations were tightened.

Four years ago, the club hired Event Horizons and last year the company used a laser show for the first time to augment the display.

Tablers were rewarded with their highest gate takings ever - £3,200.

The club was able to donate £1,800 to the Special Care Baby Unit at Hereford as a result.

However, until a few weeks before the event, organisers were uncertain whether they could use Ledbury Park, because of restrictions laid down during the foot-and-mouth crisis.

This year's event will also include a traditional bonfire built out of potato crates, donated by Castle Frome-based company Greenvale AC.

The 'Guy' figure for the bonfire will to be made by pupils at Ledbury Primary School.

Proceeds from the event will again be donated to local charities

The Round Table has written to businesses in and around Ledbury asking them for sponsorship to help maximise takings.

The event is on Friday, November 1, with the gates opening at 6.30pm.

Tickets for the display go on sale at Briggs Pharmacy in the Homend shortly.

A family ticket, admitting two adults and three children is £10, adults are £4 and children £2.