ORGANISERS of a £15,000 community fireworks display hope it will go ahead, despite having a key funding application refused.

Members of Stanley Town Council knocked back a bid for £9,520 for the Bonfire Night event at Oakies Park in Stanley.

Stanley Events hopes the three hour children’s film themed festival, which includes a 22 minute display, will still go ahead on Saturday November 5.

Stanley Area Action Partnership has already pledged £5,000, and Stanley Events director Carl Marshall said he still needs to find £10,000.

He is hoping fellow members of Durham County Council will support it with their neighbourhood budgets and has set up an online fundraising appeal.

Councillor Marshall said: “We are extremely disappointed in the recent decision by Stanley Town Council not to continue with their support.

“The decision is even more disappointing as the display was highlighted in the council’s own recent Ask Stanley survey as the most popular event the public wanted the council to support.

“Events of this scale do cost money to stage.

“Unfortunately, the event will not be able to go ahead without the finances to cover the costs.”

The display attracts up to 9,000 people and has had funding from the town council for the last four years.

The decision, by secret ballot, was made at a meeting at the Civic Hall in Stanley, on Tuesday.

Town council clerk Alan Shaw said members voted nine to two against granting the funding, with two abstentions and one member who declared an interest and did not vote.

He said: “The display is organised by Stanley Events and the town council has, for four years since 2012, given grant funding.

“This year it decided not to, but that does not mean it will not go ahead.”

Stanley resident Gary McCallum urged the council to support the event in an online petition, which has attracted 260 signatures.

He said: “The fireworks display brings the people of Stanley together and is the most attended community event in the town.

“As our public representatives, we ask that the council reconsiders this decision and provides sufficient funding for the event to go ahead.”

The petition is available at: change.org/p/stanley-town-council-fund-a-fireworks-display-in-stanley-co-durham

To donate, log on to: crowdfunder.co.uk/stanley-fireworks-at-oakies-park