FIREWORK displays at Bingley's Myrtle Park may end forever after another disastrous Bonfire Night show caused by road closures, claim organisers.

A freak thunder and lightning storm ruined the 2013 event and on Saturday it was hamstrung by traffic chaos due to the A650 Bingley bypass being shut.

Event organiser Michael Heaton, of Bingley Airedale Rotary Club, said the level of disruption had come as a surprise and meant thousands of spectators failed to make it to the display.

But Bradford Council said the closures were widely advertised.

"I attended a meeting in Keighley with highways people, police and emergency services some four weeks ago and everything was all very well prepared in terms of risk assessments.

"But nothing was mentioned about the road closures," Mr Heaton said.

"The traffic congestion clearly impacted on attendance at this year’s event.

"Some motorists successfully battled their way to Bingley but unfortunately, many returned home realising they would miss the spectacle - although the start of the event was delayed by half an hour to give members of the community time to reach Myrtle Park," Mr Heaton said.

Numbers were half those expected and that again the event would fail to meet its costs.

"Our cost is some £18,000 and we only had about 3,000 through the gate at £5 per adult.

"A tremendous amount of time and effort goes into planning and preparing this highly organised, safe and secure event so members of Bingley Airedale Rotary Club will be very saddened and disappointed at the lack of success.

"I don't think we are going to be able to run it again, it's the end of an era," Mr Heaton said.

Bingley Bonfire has been part of the town’s life for more than 40 years and profits are ploughed back into local clubs and organisations, whose members act volunteer to organise the event.

A spokesman for Bradford Council said: “We would like to apologise to anyone who was put at a disadvantage by the traffic disruption caused by the closure of the Bingley bypass.

“This closure was advertised by Bradford Council last month by a release to the media, posts on social media, on Bradford Council's website and by advance notice signs placed on the surrounding road network, to give people ample warning .

“This was essential work and the only way to carry it out safely was to close the road. Closing this road at any time of the year would have had an impact on Bingley town centre.

"Further work at Crossflatts roundabout, on November 8 and 9, and Marley roundabout, on November 15and 16, will be taking place subject to favourable weather. Closures associated with this work were also advertised last month."