THE council, the emergency services and the housing sector are urging people across Blackburn with Darwen to find alternatives to traditional Bonfire Night celebrations to reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus.

As public fireworks celebrations across the borough and beyond are cancelled, Together Housing and charity Newground have teamed up with the council and blue light services to ask people to avoid unofficial events.

The partnership is also urging residents to report any concerns about build-up of waste that could be set alight, allowing Newground’s environmental team to safely dismantle and remove the potential hazards.

Director of landscapes and estate services at Newground, Steve Greenwood, said: “This year’s bonfire period will be unlike any that has gone before due to the regulations surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Aside from the very real threat of Covid, you can be fined up to £5,000 and imprisoned for up to six months for using fireworks illegally."