COMPETITORS will be preparing for lift-off next month at this year's British Firework Championships.

Now in its 14th year, the internationally renowned championships will take place on Plymouth Hoe on Tuesday, August 10, and Wednesday, August 11.

The Hoe is the perfect venue for the eagerly anticipated event, offering a spectacular vantage point for the displays.

Tens of thousands of Plymouth residents and holidaymakers will head there for two evenings of entertainment culminating in spectacular fireworks displays from six companies seeking the coveted title of British firework champion.

The companies showcasing their pyrotechnic prowess will be Essex Pyrotechnics from Saffron Walden, 1st Galaxy Fireworks from Nottingham and Reaction Fireworks from County Durham on the Tuesday night, followed by Flashpoint Fireworks from Surrey, SM Art Pyrotechnics from Salisbury and Star Fireworks from Bracknell in Berkshire on the Wednesday night.

Reaction Fireworks secured its place in the event after winning the Scottish Firework Championships at Strathclyde Park, near Glasgow, in November.

Entertainment will be starting from 6.30pm courtesy of Heart Devon, with live music, fairground rides and refreshment stalls.

The first firework displays will start at around 9.30pm each evening as dusk falls.

Councillor Peter Brookshaw, cabinet member for community services, said: "We are expecting the competitions to be hot this year as the teams have been busy specially designing their displays for the occasion.

"Plymouth is delighted to showcase such a fabulous annual event and we extend a warm welcome to all the competitors and spectators."

The multi-storey car park behind the National Marine Aquarium and the nearby Barbican lock gate will be open until 11pm.

Most of the city centre car parks will be open until midnight, but with tens of thousands of people expected to attend the event, they are likely to be very busy and the council is advising members of the public to use public transport and park-and-ride buses wherever possible.

Staddon Heights Golf Club is providing some parking spaces at its club — for more details visit its website at www. staddonheightsgolf.co.uk