York's firework display should be back with a bang this year, with TWO companies keen to put on displays.

The city's celebrated fireworks show attracted huge crowds to York on Bonfire Night each year when it was organised and funded by the City of York Council.

But some local taxpayers were unhappy about the £40,000 costs of the display and last year it was abandoned after consultations with York residents.

Now private enterprise could see the skies lit up once more.

BAA McArthur Glen, the company behind a controversial new shopping complex at Naburn, wants to open on November 5 - and for them, a fireworks display would be a timely flourish.

Spokeswoman Linda Newman said: "We want to have a grand opening and invite the local dignitaries, but we want to do something special.

"Given that it is Bonfire Night and the fact that Guy Fawkes is a York legend, we thought it would be appropriate to sponsor a firework display. It would be too good an opportunity to miss."

"We are involved in discussions with the City of York Council and will have to await the outcome before making any formal announcement."

At the same time, an events company, Event X, based in Pickering, is keen to get involved.

A spokesman, Simon Boak, said: "We have expressed an interest in holding a display, which would be paid for through sponsorship."

The company, which organises events such as the Pickering Traction Engine Rally and Leeds Steam Spectacular, has put on smaller firework displays at other events.

Bob Scrase, chairman of the City of York Council leisure services committee, said no formal offers to put on a firework display had yet been made but the council was in discussion with a number of organisations.

He said: "We would welcome anybody who wants to stage a fireworks event and pay for it, though they should be aware that it costs between £40,000 and £50,000. If we re going to have such an event this year, then it needs to be sorted quickly because time is of the essence."

The council pulled out of funding the display after campaigners gathered more than 700 signatures on a petition to protest at the waste of money.

Research showed there was a clear majority of residents who would rather see the cash spent on something else.

See COMMENT Time for York to sparkle again

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