THE location of Camelford’s annual fireworks display is to be discussed by the town’s events working group.

It follows a letter that was sent to the town council from a group of residents who asked for the venue to be looked at due to the adverse effect on nearby animals.

At last Thursday’s town council meeting, deputy mayor Cllr Sue Elford said a few residents of College Road own horses and the animals get distressed from the noise of the fireworks.

Councillors discussed alternative locations, such as Enfield Park.

Cllr Elford said: “I don’t want to see them go.”

Mayor Cllr Rob Rotchell added: “It’s one highlight of the year.”

The town’s fireworks for the Millennium celebrations were held in the park, and on previous years the annual fireworks were held in the grounds of Sir James Smith’s School, but it was felt that it was disassociated with the town, so they were brought to a more central location.

Cllr Rotchell said: “Moving it to our land is an option but the noise is in the air. You will have moved the event 100 yards, as the crow flies. It might be marginally less. You’ve got to balance this request with a greater view on the impact of the town and the Christmas lights switch-on.”

Cllr Andy Shaw said he had been involved with the fireworks since the event started in 2007. He said there were issues when it was at the school and there had been issues at the other field.

He said:?“If you move it 50 yards down the road there are going to be problems there. I’d hate to see it stopped because it does bring the town together. A lot of people get a lot of pleasure of either attending these events or being associated with them.”

Cllr Rotchell asked the clerk, Mr Lee Dunkley, to respond to the letter, stating that their concerns are understood by the council.

The issue will be passed to the council’s events working group to look at and come back with their findings. He was, however, keen to stress that the annual firework display is not at risk, and it a major part of the town’s events calendar.