A FREE firework extravaganza is to light up the sky in Dudley this Bonfire Night as a thank you to the heroes of the coronavirus pandemic.

People will be able to see the seven-minute Light Up Dudley display - which will be accompanied by music played on Black Country Radio - from their doorsteps at 8pm on Thursday November 5, Dudley Council bosses have promised.

The display has been organised as the popular Himley Bonfire, which attracts up to 20,000 people every year, had to be cancelled for safety reasons due to the continuing Covid-19 crisis.

Key buildings across the borough, including Dudley's Russells Hall Hospital, will also be lit up between 6.30pm and 8.30pm as a tribute to the work of NHS and frontline staff in the fight against coronavirus.

Councillor David Stanley, the Mayor of Dudley, said: "We are aiming for full borough coverage, so hopefully people will be able to step outside their homes, wherever they live, and see a free firework display safely.

"The display will also be streamed live on social media to make double sure we don’t miss anyone out.

"The fireworks will be let off at six unspecified locations across the borough. We won’t be publicising where they are, as we don’t want people to travel to the sites and watch them.

"It is our way of saying thank you to the incredible people in the NHS and on the frontline, who have risked their lives to save others.

"It’s also a thank you to every resident in the borough.

"It’s been a difficult period for everyone and hopefully this will provide a bit of joy and an escape from our current difficulties."