The organisers of one of Suffolk's largest and longest-running fireworks displays are "hoping for a better 2023" following a turbulent year which ended in the cancellation of their main event.

The Big Night Out is held in Long Melford to mark Bonfire Night every November and usually attracts around 10,000 people a year.

Since Project Seven started running the event in 1982, the community group has raised £750,000 for local charitable causes, including Breakthrough Breast Cancer Suffolk, St Nicholas Hospice Care and Suffolk and Essex small animal welfare.

Returning for the first time in two years, the event was cancelled just 48 hours before it was due to be staged after three unexploded mortar bombs were discovered in the grounds of Melford Hall.

Project Seven offered refunds for the tickets and started a GoFundMe page aiming to replace the £10,000 losses, which would cover the cost of the fireworks, laser show and insurance policy.

In the end, the cancellation resulted in an £8,000 loss, meaning Project Seven will not be able to give away any donations this year.

Discovery of the bombs were not, however, the only issue that Project Seven faced in putting on their annual fireworks event.

The future of the display was called into question after the National Trust withdrew permission for use of the parkland in July.

Protestors took to the grounds opposite Melford Hall to protest against the National Trust and the decision was u-turned after they managed to come to an agreement which allowed the event to take place, with minor adjustments to ensure that the ground conditions were protected.

Project Seven president Andrew Hagger said: "Regarding last year's Big Night Out, Project Seven would like to thank the volunteers who helped with site preparation and clearing up after the cancellation.

"Finally, a big thank you to the ticket-selling points who helped with the refunds and to the people who would not take a refund and donated to us.

"Project Seven is hoping for a better 2023."

Currently, the group is seeking volunteers for the eight events it has planned for the next year.