FOR the first time in around 30 years Devizes Round Table will not be staging a firework display at the town's football club.

Chairman Daniel Swift said the committee had made the difficult decision after a number of years of falling numbers. He said: "We had to make up our minds to either significantly put up the price of tickets or stop.

"These days there is a lot of competition from schools and pubs that organise their own events. Most families will only go to one display so if they are going to a school one they will not come to us.

"We have had fantastic support in the past but for the past few years numbers have been dwindling. It is a shame to stop as we know a lot of people of really enjoy our event."

The Round Table has raised a huge amount for a wide range of charities over the years from the fireworks but Mr Swift said it had only been made possible by the generosity of Devizes firms who had sponsored the event.

But he is hopeful that a community firework display will be possible in the future if groups such as the town council, Lions, Rotary and Round Table work together.

He said: "We are already talking about this and we are hopeful a community event will be possible in the future. It would be very good for the whole town."