ORGANISERS of Oxford's largest annual fireworks display have warned this year's event could be the last.

Oxford Round Table said the annual fireworks, bonfire and funfair show at South Park, on October 27, faced the axe because of rising costs.

The event has raised more than £250,000 for charity over the past 35 years.

Oxford Round Table's fireworks officer Trevor Halls said: "This fireworks show has become an Oxford institution and we don't want to stop running it, but our costs have crept up over the years.

"That's why we're asking the people of Oxford to come out and support our show. "The money raised from ticket sales goes to help the Oxford Round Table Charity Fund, which helps to fund many individuals or groups in need of help.

"We have raised between £7,000 and £10,000 each year. Our best show generated £17,000."

The Round Table funds Oxford charities and branches of national charities. It gives up to £2,000 for a single cause and as little as £75 to individuals.

The half-hour display begins at 7.15pm, followed by the lighting of the bonfire at 8pm. Oxford's Hebborns Traditional Funfair opens from 5pm. Between 6pm and 7.30pm Fox FM's roadshow will entertain the 10,000 to 15,000 visitors.

Advance tickets, priced at £4 per person or £10 per family, are available from Fox FM; branches of Bradford & Bingley (Adkin) estate agents; Shepherd & Woodward clothes shop, in High Street and Banbury Road, Oxford; Bradleys, of New Inn Hall Street; Buildbase Cowley builders merchants, in Watlington Road; and Marshall & Co surveyors of Abingdon.

Tickets on the night will cost £5 per person or £12 per family.