Families have been left devastated after a fireworks display has been cancelled at the last minute due to "excessive wind speed at height".

Medway Council announced the coveted event was shelved at 6.15pm - just 45 minutes before it was due to begin.

Hundreds of revellers were ready to descend on Medway's Fireworks Night at Great Lines Heritage Park in Gillingham.

But instead they hit out at the local authority on social media having received the news.

"So many sad children walking back from the lines, such short notice, (the council) must have known before now," Natalie Johnson said.

"(There are) loads of fireworks going off elsewhere."

"Thanks for that, how late. Medway Council you have excelled yourselves," Rebecca Cording wrote.

"We know many of you will be disappointed but we are unable to go ahead..."

"This is a joke. Thirty minutes before it starts they've been setting up all afternoon," Kate Hasson continued.

But some people welcomed the council's reasoning for cancelling the event due to safety concerns.

Emma Mulcrow said: "It is so windy up there I did think about that when I got up here to be fair.

"People will moan but safety has to come first," she said.

Cllr Vince Maple stressed the importance of safety but questioned the authority's timing.

"Of course safety must come first but (a) decision taken just 40 minutes before (the) start is questionable," he said.

"Understandably many families and children particularly disappointed at this late announcement."

And one user voiced concerns over how other organisers have continued with displays nearby.

"Everyone around us seem to be letting fireworks off absolutely fine. (I) Can’t believe how late notice this is there’s people already there," they said.

A council spokesperson announced on Facebook: "We are so very sorry but we have been advised that we have to cancel tonight’s fireworks display due to excessive wind speed at height.

"We know many of you will be disappointed but we are unable to go ahead. Please accept our apologies."

Medway Council recently tipped the popular event as "stunning fireworks choreographed to music, will light up the sky above the award-winning heritage park".