Oxford: Firework organisers 'broken' over damage to park

The ground in South Park, Oxford, was left churned after the firework display

The organiser of a fireworks event has said his team is "broken" after complaints about the display causing damage to a park.

About 40 complaints were lodged with the city council about the state of the ground after the Oxford Round Table fireworks in South Park on Saturday.

Some residents described the park, which was hosting the 55th edition of the event, as "rutted and churned".

Oxford Round Table said it was working with the council to fix the damage.

The fireworks display, which raises money for charitable causes, is one of Oxford's most popular events.

But Oxford City Council said the ground was "saturated" after "prolonged heavy rainfall" leading up to this year's event.

A council spokesperson said it received "around a dozen" complaints about the state of the park afterwards, adding that another 30 were sent to councillors.

The South Park firework display is one of Oxford's most popular events, according to the council

Neil Holdstock, chairman of Oxford Round Table, said there was "damage that needs repairing".

He said the majority of feedback about the event was positive and his members had been left "absolutely heartbroken because they're being bombarded constantly by a small number of residents".

"We are a group of volunteers, we don't get paid for doing this," he said.

"Members of the table are broken right now. There are issues, but those issues will be sorted.

"We are doing everything we can, with the help of the council, to get the park back to its original state as we do every year."

The city council said Oxford Round Table would fund the repair work, and that it was discussing how to reduce the impact of events on the park in the future.