AS Bonfire Night approaches many people fondly remember the annual fireworks display at Clifford's Tower. 

The City of York Council display ran for a decade and was so popular that in 1994 some 30,000 spectators crammed into the area around the tower to watch the exciting free show.

But unfortunately it became a victim of its own success, with the Evening Press reporting that families were beginning to stay away from the display because of "the crowd density and fear of falling debris". The police also expressed concerns over safety.

So in 1996 the show moved to Knavesmire but the display - which cost the council £40,000 - was unpopular and hundreds of residents signed a petition complaining that it was a waste of money. Some felt so strongly they held a rally outside York's Guildhall urging the council to charge for the event or at least ask those attending for donations - but the council said collecting the money would be impractical.

And a rethink in 2005 also fared badly when a firework spectacular visible from all over York was promised.

Secrecy had shrouded the location of the launch site off Bootham, with the council encouraging people to head for the city centre for a good vantage point.

The Evening Press reported that thousands flocked to the Minster and Clifford's Tower, "assuming the colourful thunderbolts would be visible above the city landmarks. But as muffled bangs sounded in the distances, crowds saw none of the aerial show. With views obscured by buildings, people swarmed on to the roads and headed towards open areas, such as Lendal Bridge and Museum Gardens, blocking the path of motorists and buses."

Perhaps unsurprisingly, there was no big fireworks display in 2007, with York Tourism Bureau, saying it was a shame the city was unable to take advantage of the Guy Fawkes story and hold a public event.

At the time, George Cheek, 58, of York, said: "The one they used to have at Clifford Tower that was brilliant. I know there were problems with overcrowding but I'd like to see the fireworks back at Clifford's Tower."