Fire chiefs have urged the public to do the sensible thing if they want to see fireworks light up the night sky this weekend - go to a properly-organised display.

Every year, both children and adults are injured by fireworks, with the vast majority of incidents involving those bought privately.

Divisional Officer Steve Wain, at Oxfordshire's fire service headquarters, said: "There are many benefits of going to properly-organised displays. "One of the main things is you don't introduce fireworks to the home.

"We have contact with the display organisers and you also don't have a problem with going back to fireworks that have not gone off.

"At the end of the day, they also offer better value for money. The fireworks at displays are far more effective than those you can buy over the counter."

One of the biggest events being held this weekend has been organised by Oxford Round Table and will take place at South Park tonight, starting at 7.15pm. Gates open for the £10,000 display an hour earlier. There will also be a funfair and refreshments on site. Tickets cost £4, or £10 for a family of two adults and three children.

Outside the city, the 1st Chalgrove Scouts are holding a professionally-run fireworks display and bonfire from 6pm. It will be held in Wallis Field, on the junction of Berrick Road and Mill Lane.

The annual bonfire and fireworks spectacular at Harwell Business Centre has been brought forward to tonight to mark Hallowe'en and Guy Fawkes. As in past years, the event, which is being organised by the Harwell Laboratories recreational association, will take place on the south sports field off Fermi Avenue, Frome Road and Perimeter Road.

The bonfire will be lit at 7pm and the fireworks display - which will last for approximately half-an-hour - will start at 8pm. Admission is free.

A bonfire and fireworks evening will also be held at Charlbury Cricket Club. The event, including food and drink, will start tonight at 6.30pm. Entry is £1.

Story date: Saturday 30 October

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