DANGEROUS debris from Bonfire Night at Wickford Memorial Park was left for more than two weeks.

Angry residents have voiced their frustration on social media about the lack of swift action from Basildon Council and Wickford Rotary Club, which organised the event.

Photos show there are scorch marks in a sizeable area of the memorial park, which is near to the children’s play area. Metal and nails were also left behind.

A spokesman for Wickford Rotary Club said Basildon Council is responsible for the clean-up.

He said: “After every bonfire you do expect grass to burn out, but it grows back. As for the mess left behind it’s never been our responsibility to clean it up. We have to get permission from Basildon Council to run the fireworks. We provide risk assessments of running fireworks in the park, but the actual cleaning up is Basildon Council.

“Wickford Rotary Club has been doing the fireworks at Wickford Memorial Park for the past 17 years.

“Before that it was Wickford Round Table who held the event, and they’ve done so for approximately 25 years before we took over.”

Conservative councillor Peter Holliman, representing Wickford North, was very concerned that the debris left behind could cause harm to children and animals.

He said: “It’s happened every single year, but there’s never really been any discussions on who is actually responsible for the clean-up and the costs.

“I was there last Friday, the burnt out area is about four metres wide. There were metal pieces and nails all over the place.

“You will inevitably get debris. While there hasn’t been any incidents before, I understand why residents are concerned because children or animals could pick up these metal pieces.

“I contacted Rob Baker, the parks supervisor, who will be investigating the remains of the bonfire and taking appropriate action to secure this area within the next day or so.

“I’ve also monitored this site as from yesterday to make sure it no longer presents a danger to the public or animals as a consequence of the items left in the area of the fire.”

Councillor Alan Ball, chairman of regeneration and environment committee, said: “Debris left behind from the annual fireworks display at Wickford Memorial Park has now been cleared.

“The council has to clean up after both legal and illegal fireworks displays and bonfires across the borough and is unfortunately running slightly behind schedule this year.

“In the case of Wickford Memorial Park the cost of the clearance work will be charged back to Wickford Rotary Club, which organises the event.”