No fireworks at carnival but Red Arrows on their way
Getty ImagesA seaside carnival's fireworks show has been pulled due to the latest government fire risk restrictions, but an air show will still go ahead, organisers said.
North Norfolk's Cromer Carnival decided Thursday's pyrotechnic display could not be held "safely".
Organisers said they had been monitoring weather and ground conditions prior to the government guidance, and were hoping "that rainfall would improve the situation - This was never a case of being reckless or ignoring the risks".
The Red Arrows, who were stranded in Canada due to poor weather conditions, only returned to the UK on Sunday and are still set to entertain the Cromer crowds with their aerial acrobatics at 12:30 BST on Wednesday.
The decision to cancel fireworks came after the government issued a national emergency alert on Friday to people living in England and Wales, warning them not to light fires such as barbecues, firepits, and fireworks, which could spark a wildfire.
It was sent because of multiple serious fires which broke out following a period of very hot, dry weather, and after 19 homes were destroyed and a further 18 damaged in a huge fire in Stourbridge, West Midlands.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham told members of the public to take the warning "seriously", saying the alert was triggered at the request of firefighters.
On its website, the carnival trust added: "We are disappointed that the fireworks cannot go ahead, but we are confident that cancelling them is the right decision in the circumstances. Safety has to come first."
The carnival brings many thousands of visitors to the North Norfolk resort every August and has been held since 1969.
Speaking to the BBC, carnival chairman Tony Shipp said the prolonged dry weather and government guidance meant a firework display would not have been appropriate.
"Of course, we've got to think of fireworks dropping on the clifftop, which could spread along, so we have to be cautious."
On the Red Arrows making an appearance, he said: " I saw their programme for the coming week, and we are top of that list. They haven't cancelled, so hoping we will have good weather and a good show."
The Red Arrows last performed in the UK in June, before leaving to entertain people in the United States, which is celebrating 250 years of modern America.
They arrived back in the UK on Sunday after flying via Greenland and Iceland.
The team posted on social media on Monday and said they had arrived at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire.
On Monday, carnival organisers posted on social media: "At present, their [Red Arrows] scheduled display for Cromer Carnival is still going ahead, and we have received no notification to say otherwise."
A spokesperson for the Red Arrows has been contacted for further comment.
The RAF aerobatic team last took to the skies in a display over the Norfolk coast in 2022.
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