City's New Year fireworks shelved

The fireworks will have a special 800th birthday theme

Event organisers have postponed Liverpool's famous New Year's Eve firework display for safety reasons.

Weather forecasters have predicted gale force winds of up to 80mph on New Year's Eve.

The fireworks, due to be launched from the top of the Walker Art Gallery on Sunday, will now be showcased on 5 January 2007 at 1930 GMT.

Viewing will still take place from St George's Plateau, Lime Street in Liverpool city centre.

Birthday theme

Event Manager Eddy Grant, of the Liverpool Culture Company, said: "We are sad to have to disappoint people who were hoping to attend on New Year's Eve.

"But the safety of the public and the staff setting up the displays has to come first.

"I hope everyone will be able to get to see them on this new date. They will be better than ever before, and have a special birthday theme to celebrate Liverpool's 800th anniversary next year."

The New Year's Eve firework display is a popular fixture in the city's festival calendar, regularly attracting crowds of up to 10,000 people.

Organisers had to last cancel the event in 2003 due to severe storms.