Diwali scaled back over safety concerns

A proposal to stage fireworks and cultural activities as part of this year's Leicester Diwali celebrations has been rejected over safety concerns.

Leicester City Council plans to illuminate the Golden Mile, on Belgrave Road, and close it to traffic on 20 October to allow people to celebrate the Festival of Light, but there will be no fireworks or staged entertainment, as in previous years.

The Belgrave Business Association has said it fears the event will be 'hollowed out' and submitted its own plans for additional activities to the authority.

However, the council said, on Wednesday, the proposals had been ruled out by the city's Safety Advisory Group (SAG), which consists of all emergency services and Leicester City Council.

Police and Crime Comissioner for Leicestershire Rupert Matthews and Nisha Popat, chair of the Belgrave Business Association spoke to BBC Leicester's Ady Dayman.