FREE buses are once again being laid on around the borough for residents to get to the Himley Hall bonfire on Saturday.

Thirty-one double decker buses will be leaving Dudley, Sedgley, Quarry Bank, Brierley Hill, Stourbridge and Halesowen every few minutes from around 5pm to enable as many residents as possible to get to the annual bonfire and firework display.

Organisers have put more than 2,000 pallets in place ready to be lit at 7.45pm, with the towering bonfire kicking off proceedings before the spectacular firework display launches at 8.30pm - with a music anthems theme.

Park gates will open at 4.30pm, with visitors able to enjoy the Beacon radio road show as well as a giant funfair and refreshments before the main event.

Admission costs £8 for adults, £4 for senior citizens and children aged five to 15 years, while under fives are free.

A family ticket for two adults and two children is £20 and car parking is £3 and is payable on the gate.

To get to the park, visitors can catch the 249 bus from Quarry Bank, Cradley Interchange Stand D, every 15 minutes from 5.30 pm until 7.45pm.

Residents from Dudley can board the 250 from Flood Street car park, every 5 minutes from 5.30pm until 8pm.

Halesowen visitors can get on the 251 from Stand F at Halesowen Bus Station, every 20 minutes from 5.05pm until 7.45 pm.

It will also leave Stourbridge Parkfield Road stand H every 20 minutes from 5.25 pm until 8.05 pm, with the last pick-up in Stallings Lane.

The 252 bus service will depart Sedgley Vicar Street every 10 minutes from 5.40pm until 8pm.

Meanwhile a 253 shuttle service will leave Stourbridge's Parkfield Road stand H every 10 minutes from 5pm until 7.50 pm, with the last pick-up in Stallings Lane. Return buses will depart from Himley Hall following the event.

Councillor David Stanley, cabinet member for environment and culture, said: “It is clear to see why the Himley bonfire is the biggest and best council organised bonfire in the country, and is excellent value for money.

“Every year a spectacular amount of hard work goes into putting an event on like this, and that is why tens of thousands of people come along for a fun-filled evening of fireworks.”

For more information visit dudley.gov.uk/himleyhall/events or call Dudley Council Plus on 0300 555 2345.