By Dave Gudgeon

Last updated 11:48, Friday, 10 October 2008

THE Carlisle Fireshow – which attracts ten of thousands of people to Bitts Park each year – has gained a new sponsor.

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Hot stuff: Carlisle Fireshow

The Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service is giving financial backing to the spectacular in a bid to get its safety message across.

The event, which is being staged by the city council on Saturday, November 1 this year, will feature more than 2,000 fireworks.

Alan Clark, Cumbria County Council’s acting portfolio holder for the fire and rescue service, said: “Properly organised public firework displays are by far the safest way to enjoy Bonfire Night.

“They don’t come much more spectacular than the Carlisle Fireshow and the Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service is delighted to be lending its support to what will be a truly memorable evening for the whole family.

“It is also an excellent opportunity to promote the fire safety message.”

Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, which is sponsoring the event alongside other local businesses, will also be using the event to promote their free home safety check service and their free installation of smoke detectors.

Both can be organised by telephoning 0800 358 477.

This year’s fireshow – the 22nd such spectacular – will start at 7pm. Admission is free, although collections will be made for the Mayor’s Charity Fund and Rotary Club Carlisle (South). Families are advised to arrive early to ease traffic congestion.

The Bitts Park event is organised by Carlisle City Council in conjunction with the pyrotechnic experts Black Powder Monkeys.

Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, CFM Radio, our sister paper the News & Star, and Story Construction are sponsoring the event.

Support is also being received from Browns Haulage, BSW Timber, Carlisle Scaffolding, Crown Bevcan, Edmundsons Electricals, Wallace Oils and Lambert & Gill. All city council car parks are free after 6pm but some other car parks may charge.

The following temporary traffic arrangements will apply throughout the day:

n No vehicle access to Bitts Park and the Sheepmount will also be closed;

n No vehicle access to Dacre Road (adjacent to Carlisle Castle & Bitts Park);

n Bitts Park (Dacre Road) Car Park will be closed;

n No vehicle access to Bitts Park from Willowholme or The Sheepmount.

There will be limited disabled parking, although some spaces will be reserved in Devonshire Walk Car Park on a first come, first served basis.

For safety reasons, no fireworks of any kind (including sparklers) are allowed into this event.

DGudgeon@cngroup.co.uk