Burnham-on-Sea jetty fireworks called off over man missing in sea

A Bonfire Night fireworks display in a Somerset town has been postponed "out of respect" for a missing man who tried to save a woman and her dog from the sea.

The display was due to take place on Burnham-on-Sea jetty on Sunday.

Coastguard rescue teams, police, the RNLI, and BARB Search & Rescue have been looking for the man since last Sunday.

The town council said it would be "re-arranging the event in due course".

The woman and dog were recovered from the water safely during the incident, but the man who entered the sea to try to rescue her has not been located.

A Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge Town Council spokesperson said: "After a great deal of discussion and debate, we've decided to postpone the fireworks display this Sunday, in respect of the man who went missing from the jetty earlier this week.

"Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the missing man and all the emergency services in this tragic incident."

They added: "We understand there will be disappointment that the event has been postponed, but thank the residents for their understanding."

The popular fireworks display usually takes place the night before the Burnham-on-Sea carnival.

Organisers say the carnival is still set to go ahead on Monday, and those taking part in the procession can pay their respects as they go past the jetty.

It comes after the display in Weston-super-Mare was postponed until February because of weather fears.

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