The British Firework Championships 2008
Our Biggest Bang Yet!

The UK’s biggest firework competition – the British Firework Championships – is set to become even bigger in 2008 with five regional heats, involving 15 different professional firework companies.

Photo: Scott Edwards Photography

Following the successful introduction of Welsh and Scottish heats last year, The Event Services Association (TESA) has selected venues for English heats to be held at Buile Hill Park, Salford and Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham.

The Welsh heat will, once again, take place at Chepstow Racecourse while the Scottish heat is being held at Leith, Edinburgh.

The draw for all the heats has now taken place which means there are 15 firework companies vying to win through to the finals in Plymouth in August. In addition this year the rules have been changed so that the winner from 2007 no longer returns to defend their title but goes forward instead to take part in a Champion-of-Champions competition which will take place in 2012.

This year the best runner up from all the heats will win a place in the final but it is hoped in the future to add a sixth Irish heat to the competition.

The British Firework Championships in Plymouth is now internationally famous, attracting visitors from both the UK and overseas.

The full draw for the heats is:

Buile Hill Park, Salford - 12th April

Star Fireworks, Highlight Pyrotechnics, Celebration Displays

Chepstow, South Wales - 3rd May

Pendragon Fireworks, Anytime Fireworks, Celtic Fireworks

Battersea Park, London -  10th May

Skyburst the Firework Co., Imperial Fireworks, Pyro 1

Leith, Edinburgh - 24th May

Blast Design Fireworks, Fireworx Scotland, 21st Century Fireworks

Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham - 26th May

Essex Pyrotechnics, Sandling Fireworks, Pops ‘n’ Bangs Fireworks

Plymouth Finals - 12th & 13th August

The winner of each heat, together with the highest-placed runner up, will go through to the finals in Plymouth.