Footage shows huge bonfires lit amid safety dispute

Two bonfires have been lit early after a dispute over the size of the annual Bonfire Night events on Merseyside.

Organisers said the Woodchurch and Ilchester Park fires were set alight without official permission in Wirral after fears the council would take them down.

However Wirral Council has denied the claims, saying: "At no point were they asked, or told, to cancel their event."

The authority said organisers had been told to reduce the size of the bonfires due to safety concerns and for details on event management and first aid planning to be submitted.

One mum, who attended Wednesday's event with her children after seeing social media posts, said: "It just brings everyone together and we all look forward to it."

Fireworks were set off from several locations in the park two weeks before the event was supposed to occur.

Two fire engine crews were sent to the impromptu event after they received a call at about 18:45 BST, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) said.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service understands organisers of both events received letters from Wirral Council earlier this week, which gave them 24 hours to reduce the size of the bonfire.

The council said its request came after fire safety officials ruled the two bonfires were "deemed not to be of a safe size, particularly when considered in the context of their wider event plans".

The authority said it acknowledged the hard work put in by organisers and the enjoyment brought to local people, but added: "Safety must come first."

'Misinformation'

A council letter from 21 October warned organisers that if the event did not meet safety requirements, it would "have no option but to consider taking appropriate action to ensure the safety of the public".

That could include removing some or all of the materials left at the park and potential court action "to prevent any further trespass on the council's land", it said.

Local councillor Liz Grey said: "There has never been any intention in the council to stop it.

"There has been misunderstanding or misinformation saying the council wanted to stop it.

"Our main concern has just been to make sure nobody is hurt and as long as nobody is hurt, let's support community bonfires.

"We need to go back to it being an annual community-led event that everyone can enjoy."

Earlier this year, councillors approved a new policy on regulating community-led bonfires across Wirral due to reports of areas competing over the size of bonfires.

Bonfire Night events are due to take place at later dates in Leasowe, Beechwood, Noctorum and Seacombe, although the latter will only have a fireworks display after a bonfire was removed.