BONFIRES and fireworks will light up the Maldon district in celebration of Guy Fawkes Night.

Both Maldon and Burnham will be holding displays over the first weekend of November to celebrate the survival of King James I following the foiled Gunpowder Plot of 1605, where Guy Fawkes attempted to blow up the House of Lords.

Maldon’s 42nd fireworks display will be taking place at Promenade Park on Park Drive on Saturday November 5.

Organised by the Maldon Rotary Club, another splendid show of dazzling explosions and lights will enchant the skies in the ideal and tranquil location of Prom Park.

Prices for the event will be the same as last year, and most schools are expected to get involved in the Guy Fawkes guy competition to throw onto the bonfire.

This year’s show will be attended by Maldon mayor Richard Miller and it is also hoped that the mayor of Villeparisis, Maldon’s French twinning town, will be visiting the town on the same weekend.

The park gates will be open from 5.30pm, with music and competitions taking place from 6pm. The bonfire will be lit at 7pm, with fireworks commencing at 7.30pm after a countdown.

Tickets are £6 for adults, £4 for children under 14 and under-fives get in for free. A family ticket for two adults and two children costs £18.

Burnham will also be host to the fiery festivities on the Saturday night with The Great Burnham Bonfire.

The bonfire will take place at St Mary’s Church on Church Road, with gates opening from 6pm.

At St Mary’s Green there will be a BBQ and beer tent, hot and cold drinks, plus glowsticks, toys and many more items on offer.

Entry will be free, guests are asked where possible to bring along a firework to contribute to the display. It is expected to finish around 9pm.

Tickets for the Maldon fireworks are available from the Maldon and Burnham Tourist Offices, Tesco in Fullbridge, The Emporium on Maldon High Street, the adventure golf course in Promenade Park and each Saturday outside Marks & Spencer in Maldon.

For more information, visit www.maldonfireworks.co.uk and www.stmarysburnham.co.uk.