Girl 'injured' at centre display

A girl was reported to have been injured by a burning ember during a fireworks display which was part of a Christmas lights switch-on in Surrey.

The child was hit in the face by the falling debris at the White Lion Walk shopping centre in Guildford on Thursday, according to an onlooker.

Witness Craig Hodgson said there was "chaos" when the embers fell.

Centre manager Steve Cotney said there were no confirmed injuries but the report was being investigated.

Mr Hodgson said: "My wife, daughter and I attended and it was very lovely until the Guildford council, in conjunction with the shopping centre, decided to let fireworks off the roof of the shopping centre.

The health and safety of the public and staff is paramount Steve Cotney White Lion Walk shopping centre

"It then descended into chaos as firework debris descended on to the onlookers below.

"It was like a meteorite shower. People were running for cover."

He added: "I witnessed many complaints and a few injuries, including one child who had been hit on the face by one of these burning embers the size of golf balls."

A woman was treated as a precaution by St John Ambulance staff for something in her eye but it was not a burning ember, Mr Cotney said.

He added: "The health and safety of the public and staff is paramount.

"There has been a report of someone being hit by debris but there were no confirmed injuries.

"We did have a report that someone had been hit by debris but there was no report of an injury and we are still investigating it."

'Risk assessment'

However Mike Harris, who is head of economic development at Guildford Borough Council, said: "St John's Ambulance treated one person at the Christmas lights event in Guildford.

"This person reported debris from a firework display falling into her eye. She was seen at the scene.

"No further injuries were reported on the night by St John's Ambulance."

He added: "The fireworks display has been part of the Christmas lights switch-on event for some years and is organised by White Lion Walk shopping centre and a professional fireworks company.

"A full risk assessment is completed each year by the event safety group. It is our standard practice to carry out a post review of all events."