Sarah HallPeople have been urged to use public transport to get to this year's Sparks in the Park event in Norwich after city council bosses decided not to allow parking at Earlham Park following last year's quagmire.Sarah Hall

People have been urged to use public transport to get to this year's Sparks in the Park event in Norwich after city council bosses decided not to allow parking at Earlham Park following last year's quagmire.

Tickets for the hugely popular event, which is expected to attract some 20,000 people, are on sale now and Norwich City Council chiefs are promising stunning fireworks displays, live music, a lantern procession, funfair and bonfires.

But, after the torrential rain at Sparks In The Park last year left the council with a bill to repair damage done to the grass, only disabled badge holders will be able to park at the event.

Special buses and Park and Ride services will be running to help people get to the event, which will take place on Saturday, November 7.

Konectbus will provide a service to and from Thickthorn Park and Ride from 5pm. Return fares will be �2 for adults and �1 for children (aged five to 15) and tickets will be available on the bus and not at the machines.

First buses will run the 25 and 35 services from all usual stops, including Thorpe train station, Castle Meadow and St Stephens. If you buy a Sparks in the Park ticket in advance and show this to the driver, you can get a �1.50 discount on your return fare (�2.50 instead of �4).

The city council's creative events team has teamed up with The Eastern Daily Press and Heart FM for this year's fireworks spectacular and traditional Guy Fawkes party.

The fireworks are provided by Kimbolton Fireworks Ltd, based in Cambridgeshire, which will use 1,800 individual firing cues to set off 2,000 fireworks and launch 16,000 projectiles into the sky.

As in previous years there will be two displays, one for children at 6.30pm and the Big Bang Fireworks at 8.30pm.

Helen Selleck, events manager, says: 'Sparks in the Park gets bigger and better every year and it has developed into so much more than a fireworks display. This is a real bonfire night celebration that encapsulates the traditional bonfire and a Guy Fawkes with music and a funfair and all-round entertainment.

'It attracts a large crowd every year, so we would urge people to buy their tickets nice and early and enjoy a discount at the same time.'

Up to Friday, November 6 tickets cost �6 for adults (Go 4less card �5.50); children aged five and over �3 (Go 4less card �2.50); children aged four and under go free.

On Saturday, November 7 tickets cost �7.50 for adults; children aged five and over �4.50; children aged four and under free.

Up until November 7 tickets, with a booking fee charged, can be bought at Eastern Daily Press outlets in Norwich, Yarmouth, Lowestoft and Cromer and at www.edp24.co.uk up.

They can be also bought at The Tourist Information Centre at The Forum (booking fee charged for credit cards) on 01603 213999; the Union of Students at the University of East Anglia (booking fee charged) on 01603 508050; The Mall 'Ask Me Point' Level 2 on 01603 766430 and from customer service counters at Sainsbury's supermarkets in Queen's Road (01603 763600), Longwater (01603 741655) and Pound Lane (01603 300023).

Up until November 6 they can be bought from the cashiers at City Hall on 0344 9803333.