AN assurance has been given that the community bonfire at Bedale will go ahead in November alongside a fireworks display, despite an incident in which a youth was seriously injured last year.

There had been fears that the traditional bonfire in Bedale Hall park could come under threat after a 16-year-old youth ran through the smouldering embers and fell into them following the 2006 event. He was taken to hospital with burns to a hand and parts of his face, neck, leg and back.

The incident was investigated by insurers and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), who made recommendations for the running of future bonfires, and it has been announced by the organisers that procedures will be tightened up this year.

The event is run by a community bonfire committee and comes under the overall control of Bedale Town Council, which will receive a report on Monday from town clerk Richard Howard.

Mr Howard said: "Councillors will recall the incident at last year's bonfire and be aware that the council is ultimately responsible for all aspects of safety for this event. The council holds appropriate insurance arrangements for any claim arising, but compliance with the insurer requirements is paramount.''

Requirements include at least one steward for every 100 spectators throughout the event and all spectators being kept behind an adequate barrier at least 25 metres away. Others relate to consultations with police and the fire and rescue service, proper handling of fireworks, the presence of first aid personnel and methods of summoning emergency services.

Mr Howard says: "Councillors must satisfy themselves that all conditions will be put in place so that if any claim does arise, such a claim would be met by the insurer."

Bonfire committee chairman John Noone said: "We have tightened up on a lot of what the insurance people and the HSE wanted and are liaising with the town council. We have consulted with everyone who became involved after last year's incident.

"The bonfire will be drastically reduced in size this year and will be lit earlier so that it will go out earlier.

"Stewarding will be better, the fire will be cordoned off as soon as the fireworks are finished and someone will be in attendance until we put the fire out.

"We don't take short cuts because we have been running this for 20 years.''

The town council holds specific funds of £4,645 for this year's event and has committed an additional £1,000 grant.