ABERTILLERY'S fireworks display has been cancelled as organisers can't afford to run it.

The 41st annual display was scheduled for bonfire night, but after mulling it over in recent weeks, the tough decision was made to call it off.

Organisers Abertillery Round Table and Abertillery and Blaina Rotary Club have lost around £10,000 on the show over the past three years.

Dwindling attendance figures and increased security costs have been two of the key factors in the decision, with £4,000 being spent on proper fencing and the 22 security staff needed to marshall the event.

Organisers were spending around £7,500 on fireworks, but have seen turnout dwindle from in excess of 3,000 just five years ago, to 1,620 last year.

In previous years, whatever profits were made at the display were donated to local charities.

The display is down but not out as organisers hope to resurrect it next year and are appealing for business and organisations to help with donations and sponsorship to ensure this year is only a blip.

Rotary club member John Hale said a lot of soul searching went into the decision, but everyone involved had exhausted all possible avenues to keep the event going.

"We're gutted, it was a big decision not to run it because we do it as a public service, local charities have suffered as well because we haven't had the money to spread around. We don't want to call it a day, we're hoping to get sponsorship or support."

BLOB: Anyone interested in donating or sponsoring the fireworks display can contact John Hale on 07747 693 400.