Rochdale's hotly anticipated Fire Festival which was due to start tonight has been cancelled due to severe weather warnings.

A weekend-long free festival of fun was due to kick off tonight (Friday, November 22) in the gardens by Rochdale Town Hall, as Ignite hoped to bring fire breathers, trails of lights and live entertainment every night until Sunday.

However, the blazing festival has been cancelled today ahead of tonight's first performance as Rochdale Council cites freezing temperatures and Storm Bert threatening to cause disruption.

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Alongside today’s freezing conditions, the Met Office has warned heavy rain and strong winds of up to 40 miles an hour could hit on Saturday afternoon and evening.

Rochdale's Fire Festival has also been cancelled tomorrow (Saturday, November 23), though it is hoped the festivities will go ahead as planned on Sunday in line with the Christmas lights switch-on. 

Father Christmas and his special guests, including the mayor of Rochdale, Cllr Shakil Ahmed, and Middleton Arena pantomime stars Castle Clown and Princess Beauty will switch on the lights from 5.30pm on Sunday in front of the town hall after the traditional countdown, before the Fire Festival continues until 8pm.

Councillor Sue Smith, cabinet member for communities and co-operation at Rochdale Borough Council said: “We’re very sorry to have taken the decision to cancel the first two evenings of Ignite Fire Festival due to the freezing temperatures and forecast of heavy rain and strong winds.

"The safety of our visitors, crew and staff will never be compromised and the very slippery conditions today and those expected tomorrow would cause unacceptable risks, particularly to this type of event.

"We are closely monitoring the weather but intending Ignite to go ahead as planned on Sunday evening, accompanying the Christmas lights switch on.”

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