Organisers of a bonfire event had to watch as wood that had been piled up ready for a huge party this coming weekend went up in flames this morning.

Firefighters were called to the stack in an orchard off Bull Lane, Stockbury at about 8am.

It had been put there in preparation for the village's annual Halloween fireworks display.

Co-ordinator Dave Tomsett, who leads an organising team of about 12 volunteers, said: "There's no real evidence to prove whether it started deliberately or not but the fire service said it probably wasn't spontaneous combustion.

"No one was seen in the area, so we've got to put it down to bad luck.

"The fire was too big and had taken hold by the time the fire brigade got there, so they could not recover it."

Mr Tomsett said the Halloween fireworks would still go ahead as planned on Saturday and the bonfire would be rebuilt.

"The event is still going ahead. We have to wait for the area to cool down. We're contacting local tree surgeons and wood yards and hope to have a replacement bonfire ready for Saturday night."

It is the sixth year of the fireworks, always held a week earlier to coincide with Halloween.

"We've not had bad weather or catastrophes like this. We've got local people pulling together and should have a suitable bonfire to keep people warm" - Event co-ordinator Dave Tomsett

"We've been lucky," added Dave. "We've not had bad weather or catastrophes like this. We've got local people pulling together and should have a suitable bonfire to keep people warm."

It starts from 5pm on Saturday. Hog roast will be served from 5.30pm, the bonfire is due to be lit at 6pm and the fireworks will begin at 7pm.

Entry is £4 with a voucher available online and £5 without. Children under 12 free.

For more on the display, proceeds of which go towards the community orchard, click here.