PLANS to hold a firework display at Hurlingham Park have been scrapped after residents voted against the idea.

Each year Hammersmith and Fulham Council host two displays - at Ravenscourt Park and Bishops Park - which are each attended by thousands.

However, due to ongoing improvement works at Bishops Park, the council suggested moving the popular firework display to the nearby Hurlingham Park for one year only.

They asked residents to cast their vote using an online poll but only 24 per cent backed this suggestion.

Fourty one per cent of people said they were happy to make alternative arrangements and 35 per cent happy to travel to Ravenscourt Park.

This decision has been welcomed by members of Hammersmith and Fulham Rugby Club, who use the park for matches and training.

Honorary secretary Chris Cuthbertson, said: "We had some serious concerns about the potential damage, especially when your talking about six to eight thousands people attending. If it stayed dry there would be minimal damage but if it rained heavily there could have been a lot of damage done and our concern was what would happen to the pitches if this did happen and how would we run the club for the rest of the season. We felt that it was a big risk so we welcome the decision as it's in the long term interest for users of the park."

The Ravenscourt Park event will go ahead as planned with gates opening at 6pm. The council is keen to stress that the absence of a fireworks display in Fulham is for this year only.

Cabinet member for residents’ services, councillor Greg Smith, said “We are committed to listening to the opinion of local residents and have therefore decided to go ahead with only one fireworks event this year. We are determined to make this year’s Ravenscourt Park event bigger and better than ever before and will be pulling out all of the stops to make sure that those who attend are completely amazed with the display and enjoy the experience. We are calling on residents from all over the borough to visit Ravenscourt Park on Saturday, November 5 to enjoy a wonderful night out in one of the borough's best and most popular parks. Next year, rest assured that we shall be back at the much-improved Bishops Park for a Fulham display as well as Ravenscourt Park.”

Tickets costing £5 can be bought in advance by visiting www.lyric.co.uk or by phoning the Lyric Theatre box office on 0871 221 1722.

Tickets will also be available on the gate for £7.