FIREWORK displays have gone up in smoke because cash-starved Bolton Council says it can't afford them.

There will be no traditional Bonfire Night display in Leverhulme Park this year.

And events at Westhoughton and Horwich have also been scrapped.

Leisure chiefs slashed £10,000 from their outdoor entertainments budget earlier this year.

And today we can reveal that there will be NO council-organised Bonfire Night events in the borough.

Labour Cllr Gerry Riley, leisure services chairman, said: "It is regrettable, but it is a matter of funding.

"Organised events are the safest way to enjoy Bonfire Night and we have always encouraged people to go to them, but we just don't have the money.

"If someone has a spare £5,000 or so, then we will gladly hold the event." Labour Cllr Eric Johnson, chairman of the council's home safety committee, said: "I am disappointed hear this and I am sure the children in Bolton will be too.

"But the leisure services committee does have difficult decisions to make with its budget." A fire brigade spokesman said today: "There are no two ways about it, organised bonfires are by far the safest way of enjoying parties.

"We have a large number of injuries at private parties where people treat it as the last barbecue of the year, there is drink flowing, the kids are running around.

"There will be plenty of organised events throughout Greater Manchester and if there isn't one in Bolton, then people should think about going elsewhere."

It was also revealed at last night's leisure services committee meeting that £261,000 may have to be cut from next year's budget.

Vice-chairman Labour Cllr Steve Hynes said: "I am sick and tired of having to carry out the Government's dirty work.

"Is it the Tories who would have to make the decision to close the Water Place or to stop entering the Britain in Bloom competition or to shut a dual use leisure centre? No, it is us. "We would have to carry out their cuts in public expenditure so that they can fund tax cuts." Cllr Martin Donaghy called for a referendum asking people if they would rather pay more council tax or face cuts in services. Under the present capping rules, councils cannot make this choice.

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