Is bonfire night on the brink of burning itself out?

It is a British tradition dating back centuries but is bonfire night on the brink of burning itself out?

Red tape, increasing costs and legislation to prevent terrorist attacks are taking a toll on the organisers of public events.

Organisers of big displays have said it is becoming increasingly difficult to break even, despite the events being more popular than ever.

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, also known as Martyn's Law, is among the elements they have to consider. While they acknowledge the new law is important, it is an extra layer of concern.

It comes as a 12-week public consultation on the sale of fireworks comes to an end on 8 October. The review could lead to the loudest fireworks being limited to organised displays and more pyrotechnic products banned.

Among the victims of the challenges is Truro in Cornwall which has announced its annual fireworks display is off for a second year in a row.

The town council said it made the decision as the event could not be held safely within the available budget.

Similar issues have been raised elsewhere including in Northamptonshire where discussions are ongoing as to whether a free fireworks display in Corby can go ahead.

David Rodda, town clerk at Truro City Council, said it had been a difficult decision to call off the display.

He said some of the issues around the event included it growing from a display attended by 1,000 people to as many as 4,000 when it was last held in 2024, meaning the cost of staging the event safely had increased.

"In a way, it has become a victim of its own success," Rodda added.

"The council cannot stage an event if we cannot do so safely and in this case the income generated was insufficient to cover the extra costs."

Under Martyn's Law, certain public premises and events have to be prepared to keep people safe in case of a terror attack. This includes having standard and enhanced tiered events depending on how many people attend.

Rodda said with Truro's fireworks display falling in the enhanced tier, there would be a lot more to consider for it and the costs would have gone into thousands.

"In our case it was £2,500 for the road closures, £1,500 for the letter drop we would need to do with residents in the area informing them of the road closures, probably another £2,500 for the extra toilets, lighting, on site PA system, etc.

"These are things that would be required for an event of that scale which are more to do with good event management rather than Martyn's Law."

Rodda said the council was "determined" to find a solution and bring the display back in the future.

In Devon, Exeter's Round Table is holding its annual fireworks display at Westpoint now in its 46th year.

Matt Church, a co-organiser of the display, said over the last six years it had raised about £188,000 for charity.

He said it was a year-round job getting everything ready, with work starting not long after the previous display finished.

Church said with between 6,000 and 8,000 people expected, organisers had to ensure the event was "safe and enjoyable".

But organisers also had to ask themselves whether the event was still worth holding considering the cost.

"We can't just keep adding costs and assuming people would pay more for a ticket," he said. "This year alone, we're making a significant additional investment in the event, particularly with the introduction of drones.

"Every decision has to be considered really carefully and rather than putting the same event on every year and watching the costs increase, we have to evolve and give people another reason to come back.

"After 46 years, nobody involved wants to see the event disappear, but equally it has to be sustainable and continuing achieving what it exists to do."

Another event linked with bonfire night which has had to take new laws and regulations into consideration is the Ottery St Mary Tar Barrels.

Held annually on 5 November, the event involves people known as "barrel rollers" running through the Devon town with 27 flaming tar-soaked barrels while thousands of spectators line the streets.

Event director Ashley Franks said health and safety was a massive consideration.

Franks said while the committee did not preempt things like Martyn's Law, they could see what was going on in the UK and started to implement elements which had been included in the act, such as hostile vehicle mitigation.

"All of our barrel stewards, marshalls and everyone involved in the event on the ground undergo counter-terrorist training," Franks added.

"Because they're local people, they know the environment and when something is out of place, they spot it straight away."

Franks said spiralling costs had led to an increase in parking charges but the committee wanted to ensure the event continued for future generations as it was a "rite of passage" for many in the town.

"Every year it gets harder and harder to run the event with changes in legislation," he said. "I must admit I attend meetings and I'm sat there thinking 'is this really worth it?' But I walk away from it thinking it's in my blood."

The Home Office said Martyn's Law would help keep people safe when attending large events.

"The implementation period is ongoing and the requirements are not yet in force," a spokesperson said.

"We have published guidance and continue working with event organisers to ensure they have sufficient time to prepare."

Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].