A FIREWORK extravaganza, which attracts thousands of visitors to Colchester’s Castle Park every year, will light up the sky again.

The town’s largest fireworks display will take place on November 5 after a year’s break due to the pandemic.

This will be the 50th display King Coel’s Kittens has organised.

The group, which was launched in 1962 to raise cash for people with special needs, will be once again donating the profits from the display to worthy causes.

Jacqueline Bowis, of King Coel’s Kittens, said: “From those early days where we were pleased to raise a few hundred pounds and today we look to raise thousands.

“We have whole generations coming to see the display every year and it is nice to think this is a community event that has run for the past 50 years.”

The first King Coel’s Kittens fireworks spectacular took place in 1970, with a small crowd enjoying the display and raising £300.

Read more >> Everything you need to know about this year's Colchester Castle Park firework display

Acorn Village, Scout and Guide groups, St Helena Hospice, Colchester Toy Library and Hospital Radio are some of the groups which have benefited from donations throughout the years, with £35,000 worth of equipment going to Colchester Hospital’s cancer unit campaign in 2019.

This year’s charity event will be once again held at Castle Park, with entertainment starting from 6pm.

The Guy parade will then take place at 7pm followed by the bonfire being lit at 7.30pm.

The fireworks display will also kick off at 7.40pm.

There will also be a shop in Lion Walk shopping centre, which will be open every day this week to promote the 50th event.

Mrs Bowis added: “At the front of the display there will be a large effigy of Guy Fawkes sitting on a bier waiting to be taken down to Castle Park.

“Guy Fawkes will sit in front of the castle waiting to be carried through the park at 7pm by the beefeaters and placed on the bonfire in lower Castle Park.”

Tickets for the display must be bought in advance and are available from £4.50 for children and £9.50 for adults. There will be no tickets on the gate.

Visit experiencetickets.co.uk/book-online/107401/ or call the Mercury Theatre on 01206 573948.