BROMSGROVE’S Sanders Park will be hosting an autumn celebration in place of its annual bonfire night.

This will be the second year the bonfire night has had to be cancelled because of the Covid pandemic.

Council chiefs have made the decision to pull the plug on the event due to increasing costs and security and public health issues.

Instead, it will be replaced with a four-day illumination trail called ‘Autumn Celebrations’ including music, children’s rides and food stalls, running from October 28 to October 31, 5pm until 8:30pm.

Portfolio holder for leisure services, Cllr Phil Thomas, said: “Covid figures across Worcestershire are currently quite high and at this time of the year getting seasonal bugs is not unusual either.

“As a council it would have been irresponsible of us to have put on the bonfire event which normally draws in large crowds, congregating in a smaller area.

“The light trail is set to be beautiful, there is more opportunity to enjoy it across a few days, it’s a safer outdoor event, and it’s free. It’s win-win all round.”

The light trail will flow around the pathways in the centre of the park with the other entertainment and food stalls located around the café and car park area.

On Saturday, October 30 and Sunday, October 31, visitors are also invited to join in with a lantern walk from 6pm, alongside additional live music and street theatre entertainment.

Visitors can bring their own lanterns, or they can take part in lantern making activities running at the Pavilion inside the bowls green on October 28, and 29 at 10am, 11am, 1pm, and 2pm.

Bromsgrove BirdBox will also be lighting up their space each night and will have food and drink on offer on the Friday and Saturday.