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.

This will be the 51st 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.

The Colchester-based group was founded in 1962 by journalist Bill Tucker, when a handful of young people came together to discuss how to raise money to support residents with special needs.

This year marks the 60th year of the organisation raising money to help people across Colchester.

Jacqueline Bowis, chairwoman of King Coel’s Kittens, said: “The group enjoyed their first year of fundraising and decided to continue raising funds for other groups within the local community.

“The group never give money to an organisation or pay for overheads, they always pay for the purchase of tangible items which a number of people within a special group can benefit from.

“Over the years they have organised a number of events from the Christmas tree collection around the streets of Colchester, markets, tiddlywink race, Millenium events in the town, how many people can you get in a mini and supporting the annual carnival.”

To mark their 60th anniversary the group has put aside £25,000 to hand out to good causes.

Each applicant could be awarded up to £2,500.

The fireworks display regularly attracts 8,000 people to Castle Park.

This year’s event will take place on Saturday, November 5 in Colchester Castle Park, with live entertainment, a Guy Fawkes parade and bonfire, before the spectacular fireworks display.

The gates will open at 5.30pm, with live entertainment taking place until the parade begins at 7pm. Refreshments will be available in the park on the evening.

No sparklers, laser devices, alcohol, or dogs – except guide dogs, are allowed in the park at the event.

To access the sale of fireworks tickets and the application form for funding, visit the groups’ website at bit.ly/3zj4kSy.