ORGANISERS of an annual firework display in Ryedale have said that this years event will not go ahead.

Members of the Slingsby Sportsfield Committee have said that due to dwindling donations, the event will be unable to be held on November 5 this year.

The annual bonfire and firework display was traditionally funded by donations from residents and by voluntary contributions made on the night at the gate.

However the committee said that they had made the decision that due to lack of financial support the event was "financially unviable to continue."

Chairman Dave Calvert said: "It is regrettable that we have had to take this decision as we know many people, particularly youngsters, always enjoy the event.

"It would be wrong to continue to subsidise a one day event that the people who attend, many of whom come from outside the village, do not support financially. We cannot contemplate charging at the gate as that would make the event ‘official’ and require us to take out insurance for the night at a cost that is totally prohibitive."