THIS year's fireworks display in Matching Green has been scrapped - because organisers fear it might be too successful.

Matching Parish Council say the town is unable to cope with the increasingly large numbers of people wanting to visit the spectacle every year, and have decided "with regret" not to hold the event again for safety reasons.

A spokesman said: "As word has spread in recent years, more and more people have chosen to celebrate Bonfire Night in Matching.

"The narrow country lanes surrounding the Green have become increasingly clogged by parked cars. It has become so popular that organisers fear it has become too big for such a small village to manage safely."

Cllr Richard Morgan, Chairman of Matching Parish Council, added: "It is a shame. Bonfire Night has become a part of the social calendar in Matching but we felt it had just grown too big with people coming from miles around.

"Perhaps in a year or two we may be able to look at it again."

Alternatively, Harlow Town Park hosts a display on Sunday November 1 at 7.45pm.

Admission is free.