SPARKS are flying after it was revealed residents and visitors to the town's popular annual bonfire and fireworks display will be charged admission for the first time in the event's history.

Every year thousands of people flock to Sanders Park, off Kidderminster Road, for the spectacular free event, which is organised by Bromsgrove District Council But this year the authority is charging for admittance to the event on Sunday, November 4, which starts at 3pm. The park will be fenced off with turnstile access points across the site.

The admission price is £3.50 for adults and £1.50 for children, aged between five and 15 years. Children aged under four get in free and a family ticket, for two adults and two children, is £8.50.

Council parks and community services manager Rob Heard said hoarding would be put across the whole frontage of the park's main entrance to stop unauthorised access.

He said fencing would then be installed around the park with turnstile operations for people to gain access to the park.

Mr Heard said: "It is challenge, but we have it sorted out. It is not just about fencing but increased amount of security staff, stewardship and police presence."

Bromsgrove District Council leader, Councillor Roger Hollingworth (Con-Alvechurch), said: "As you will know from countless media articles, this council is facing a lot of financial challenges as it makes its way on the journey to improvement.

"We know residents and visitors love this event and rather than scrap it we decided it would go ahead with a bang as usual. But to do this we would have to charge. This is just one of the tough decisions we, as councillors, have had to make to save money yet still keep on delivering first class services like our waste and recycling, parks and street theatre events."

Cllr Hollingworth added: "I don't think £8.50 is a bad price to pay for a family of four to come along."

He added: "There will be some people who will be put off, but from a health and safety point of view we do need to cut the numbers down."

John Godwin, the council's acting head of culture and community services, said: "Lots of organised bonfire events have admission charges as it does cost a lot of money to provide this event to local residents and to make sure it is run as safely as possible. Once again we have secured a host of top attractions, local bands and fantastic fireworks which have made this event extremely popular."

But Bromsgrove district councillor Peter McDonald (Lab - Waseley), who is chairman of the scrutiny board, said he had asked the legal department if the decision to charge admission was made above board.

He said: "It could cost more money to stage this event than will be received in income. This free event was a Labour party initiative to make it safer for families by attending a public event rather than having their own bonfire and fireworks at home."

He added: "This move will see the number of people attending the event collapse and will cost a fortune to secure the park. It is a bad decision."