THE popular Brickfields firework display has been cancelled this year due to funding cuts and a lack of staff time.

Thousands of people usually gather on the KGV playing fields to watch the displays organised by Worcester Community Trust (WCT) for the last four years.

But CEO Helen Scarrett said a lack of staff time and cuts to their core funding had sadly led them to pull the plug on this year's family event which costs around £5,000 to put on.

The firework display is free for families to watch with donations welcomed but last year's bucket collections only raised £83.

As news of the cancelled event spread, a Facebook group has been set up aiming to bring it back next year with WCT saying it would be happy to offer advice and information.

Mrs Scarrett said: "Unfortunately, we haven't been able to organise this year's fireworks because we don't have the resources.

"We haven't got the staff time and normally we raise money to put it on but we haven't had time to do it.

"We have tried to get other organisations involved but they were unable to do it.

"It would be fantastic if someone was able to bring it back.

"We would absolutely love to support it next year and we would be able to put lots of things in place to help them.

"For four years we have been happy to do it and it has been very much a community event.

"It gets thousands of people down to the park and people will really miss it.

"It's very disappointing for us but unfortunately we don't have the staff time to be able to organise it but we know that the support is out there from people wanting to bring it back."

Bring Back Brickfields Halloween/Fireworks Event was set up on Facebook by mum-of-three Natalie Gowing yesterday and had more than 1,000 people join in less than 24 hours.

Miss Gowing, from Grasmere Drive, Ambleside, said the group were hoping to bring the fireworks display back next year with funding hopefully coming from city businesses.

The 33-year-old said she usually takes her children Charlie and George Morris, aged 12 and eight, and two-year-old daughter Bella May Webb to watch the display.

"It's a shame the fireworks won't go ahead this year because so many people go, it is a huge event.

"It really brings the community together, it's a lovely event, really nice and has something for all ages - football tournaments, fairground rides, a dance competition in the community centre.

"We are hoping to be able to raise funds for next year because it is a bit too late to bring it back this year.

"I've never done anything like this before so it would be nice to raise awareness and get people onboard who can help."

Anyone who can help should join the Facebook group.