THE future of one of Suffolk’s best-attended firework displays is in doubt because of a shortage of people to organise the event.

East Anglian Daily Times: Pupils at Long Melford Primary School are pictured with their Guy Fawkes they made for the big night out competition last yearPupils at Long Melford Primary School are pictured with their Guy Fawkes they made for the big night out competition last year

Fundraising group Project Seven’s colourful pyrotechnic displays have lit up the skies over the west of the county for the past 45 bonfire nights.

The Big Night Out, set in the grounds of historic Long Melford Hall, is watched by around 10,000 people and raises up to £20,000 annually for charity.

But Andrew Hagger, president of the event’s organising committee said new members are needed if the firework spectacular is to survive.

“The fireworks have all been purchased for this year as we have to plan so far ahead, but unless we get new people coming forward to serve on the committee, there are grave doubts as to whether there will be a Big Night Out in 2014,” he said.

“It is an extremely well-attended event that has become something of an icon in the area. We have people who travel from as far afield as Chelmsford and the east of the county because of the reputation we have built.

“It would be very sad, and hard to imagine Guy Fawkes’ night without there being a Big Night Out. It has also been very good for Long Melford’s reputation.”

The Big Night Out always takes place on the Friday closest to Guy Fawkes’ night. The first was organised by the Long Melford Community Association in 1986.

Project Seven was formed in 1982 as a fundraising body and took over the running of the event, which is the group’s biggest and highest-profile event.

Since 1982, Project Seven has raised more than £500,000 for good causes.

Mr Hagger added: “Many of our committee members are aged between 60 and 72 and want to step down. We are grateful for the help we receive from different people but we desperately need new ones who are prepared to commit time to the organisation and eventually become committee members if we are to have any hope of preserving Project Seven and the future of the Big Night Out.”

Anyone who wants to get involved can call Mr Hagger on 07980 526067.