YORK’S annual light festival could be given a Guy Fawkes theme this year, as tourism chiefs look to mark Bonfire Night in style.

Staff at Visit York are in talks with the organisers of Illuminating York about linking the event with the November 5 anniversary of the gunpowder plot.

The idea is one of several being mooted, as city leaders try to enhance York’s Bonfire Night reputation. A Guy Fawkes Festival has previously been suggested, with tourism organisations keen to commemorate Fawkes in his home city.

Visit York stressed that no decision had yet been made, but said talks were ongoing.

Chief executive Gillian Cruddas said the organisation was also contacting all other event organisers with a view to ensuring Bonfire Night went with a bang. It is not yet clear whether a coherent Guy Fawkes Festival will take place, but Mrs Cruddas said Visit York would co-ordinate other events happening in the area.

She said: “Guy Fawkes events at York Maze and Castle Howard and smaller events around the city were enjoyed by thousands in 2008. Discussions are now taking place with event organisers for 2009 and we would like to hear from anyone who would like to be featured in a Guy Fawkes in York publication for this year.

“Visit York will play a co-ordinating role to ensure residents and visitors have all the information at their fingertips.”

As reported in The Press last week, the owner of York Maze has already confirmed he wants to host another fireworks display this year, following the success last year.

About 2,500 people gathered at the Elvington Lane site in November for the display, after owner Tom Pearcy decided to fill the void left by the lack of major public events. Mr Pearcy said last week: “Our plan at the moment is to hold it on November 5 again and we hope it is something we can do every year now.

“We have received extremely positive feedback from people who contacted us to say what a wonderful time they had. There were no traffic or organisational problems and everything ran smoothly, so there doesn’t seem to be anything which would be detrimental to us continuing to hold the display.”