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Broadstairs fireworks to return for Water Gala festival after brawl forced displays to be postponed

16:16, 29 July 2019

updated: 19:14, 29 July 2019

Fireworks organisers say a display will return this week after a review of security arrangements.

The Broadstairs Summer Fireworks were postponed in the wake of a huge brawl between groups of teenagers at the first event of the summer earlier this month.

But the display during the town's Water Gala on Wednesday will go ahead again.

Terry Vick of Cliftonville took this shot at one of the Broadstairs fireworks displays this summer
Terry Vick of Cliftonville took this shot at one of the Broadstairs fireworks displays this summer

Organisers todeay announced they have been given the go ahead after holding discussions with police, Thanet District Council, Broadstairs and St Peters Town Council, the town's chamber of commerce and a security firm.

Businesses and the public have also volunteered to act as "eyes on the ground" to steward the event, the committee said in a statement to its 5,000 Facebook followers.

"We WILL be going ahead with live music on the bandstand at 8pm and a fantastic firework display at 9.45pm (as always - subject to weather)", the statement reads.

"This increased security costs more so if you're coming along please pop a pound or two in the collection buckets to help us continue to offer these wonderful evenings in a happy, safe, family friendly environment in beautiful Broadstairs."

Police were called to Broadstairs harbour for the first fireworks session of the year. Picture: @PresentCompany
Police were called to Broadstairs harbour for the first fireworks session of the year. Picture: @PresentCompany

Two girls were arrested in the wake of the fighting in the town centre at the first event of the summer on July 17.

Police say the teenage girls were arrested in connection with the disturbance at 9.30pm - just 15 minutes before the display on Viking Bay beach started.

One of the girls was aged 16 and from Ramsgate was arrested on suspicion of affray and possessing cannabis while the other, a 15-year-old from Herne Bay, was arrested on suspicion of affray.

The pair have been released pending further inquiries.

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