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Fireworks competition finale cancelled over winds

Naj ModakNorth West
News imageVisit Blackpool An aerial view of Blackpool Promenade at night during a fireworks display in the World Fireworks Championship. It shows gold pyrotechnics in the skies above the promenade with huge crowds gathered to watch. The Blackpool Illuminations are lit up with Blackpool Tower to the right lit up in purple. Visit Blackpool
Wales, South Africa and Germany were all due to return to Blackpool to battle it out for this year's World Fireworks Championship

The finale of an international fireworks competition has been cancelled over safety concerns due to high winds forecast.

Organisers said they were "disappointed" this year's World Fireworks Championship in Blackpool on Saturday would not take place.

Thousands of visitors were expected to watch the dazzling displays which were scheduled over three nights.

A VisitBlackpool spokesperson, said: "Following close monitoring of the weather forecast throughout the week, the expected wind speed and direction would make it unsafe for the event to proceed."

All competitors in this year's championships were former winners.

Wales, 2022 champions, were due to open the show on Saturday with Fireworks for Africa, who were crowned the 2017 winners and 2021 champions, Germany's Haupt Feuerwerke, also due to put on a display.

News imageGregg Wolestenholme Aerial view of the fireworks display on the beach beside Blackpool's North pier with crowds of people watching on the promenade in the evening with the Blackpool Illuminations on and Blackpool Tower lit up purple in the background to the left.Gregg Wolestenholme
The "creativity and technical brilliance" of India's pyrotechnics team, last year's champions, was praised

India won last year's championship.

Amir Morani Fireworks became the first team to qualify for the Champion of Champions final taking place in 2028.

The spokesperson, said: "We appreciate that many people were looking forward to the finale of this year's competition but the safety of both the fireworks teams and spectators must always come first.

"Over the next few days, we will explore whether there are any future dates when the event could potentially take place."

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