Fireworks being replaced by 200 AI-controlled drones

BBC A firework explodes in the sky, producing bright red lightBBC
Fireworks are being replaced by drones in Great Yarmouth

A weekly summer fireworks display cancelled due to fire risks is being replaced by a light display created by 200 drones.

Every Wednesday during the summer holidays, a fireworks display is usually held along Great Yarmouth's seafront, but organisers have stopped the event.

It follows an emergency alert being issued by the government telling people not to barbecue, set off fireworks or have bonfires due to the high risk of wildfires.

Visit Great Yarmouth, which runs the Big Wednesday display, hopes that switching to drones, controlled by Artificial Intelligence (AI), will still impress visitors.

Visit Great Yarmouth A plan with aerosparx branding on its wings can be seen as colourful smoke billows out of it on a blue, sunny dayVisit Great Yarmouth
The pyrotechnic plane will deliver a smoke display instead on Wednesday

Asa Morrison, chief executive officer for the organisation, said the "show will go on".

"We are all thrilled to be able to put on unique entertainment for the thousands of people looking forward to spending their Wednesday evening on the seafront enjoying the vibrant fun family atmosphere and all that our businesses have to offer," he added.

The show, orchestrated by Lumina, will take place at 22:00 BST as a last-minute replacement for the weekly fireworks, with 200 drones filling the skies, controlled by AI to create the display.

More stories from Norfolk

Cromer Carnival's organisers pulled plans for a firework display on Thursday, and a weekly event in Hemsby has also been stopped.

The advisory is in place following the direst July on record, which has left the UK "like a tinderbox", Prime Minister Andy Burnham said last week.

In Norfolk, firefighters across the county battled dozens of wildfires, and a major incident was declared.

Temperatures have dropped this week, and rain is forecast, providing hope of some relief following prolonged dry conditions.

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