Himley Park will still play host to the Midlands’ biggest bonfire tonight – after businesses and residents donated 2,000 wooden pallets in just two days.

Organisers had resigned themselves to the fact they would have to put on a smaller bonfire this year after yobs broke in and set fire to pallets on Wednesday.

The wood reserved for tonight’s show was totally destroyed, and an appeal went out for half the normal amount – 1,000 wooden pallets – to ensure the show would go on.

But since then lorries have flooded into the site with donations and offers of help and, after a long and exhausting day yesterday, organisers reported tonight’s bonfire would be exactly the same size as last year.

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Himley Park will still play host to the Midlands’ biggest bonfire tonight – after businesses and residents donated 2,000 wooden pallets in just two days.

Organisers had resigned themselves to the fact they would have to put on a smaller bonfire this year after yobs broke in and set fire to pallets on Wednesday.

The wood reserved for tonight’s show was totally destroyed, and an appeal went out for half the normal amount – 1,000 wooden pallets – to ensure the show would go on.

But since then lorries have flooded into the site with donations and offers of help and, after a long and exhausting day yesterday, organisers reported tonight’s bonfire would be exactly the same size as last year.

Himley bonfire organiser Sally Piazzalunga said there were still lorries coming in this morning with offers of wood.

She said: “I am speechless and I just can’t thank people enough – the people in this area are amazing. We do this event for them and they have come up trumps.

“It just shows you how wonderful people are, when the chips are down they are there for you.

“It is great to know that at the end of the day, whoever did this to the bonfire did not win. All we can hope for now is a fantastic turnout, and in return we will make sure they get a fantastic display tonight.” The show is themed Strictly Fireworks. Bangers and rockets will go off against a backdrop of toe-tapping tunes.

They include the Scissor Sisters hit I Don’t Feel Like Dancing, The Timewarp from the Rocky Horror Show and Hot Stuff, theme tune of the classic movie The Full Monty. The bonfire will be lit at 7.45pm.

By Wayne Beese