PLANS for a fundraising bonfire night have gone up in smoke thanks to "overcomplicated" lic-ensing laws introduced this year. The Hammer Hill Recreation Association has held its bonfire night fireworks display for more than 20 years. It started as a small gathering but escalated to attract around 1,000 spectators. It is the main fundraiser for the group, and all the cash helps pay for insurance for the playground on the site. But because of the new licensing laws this year's event has been axed - which will require some serious belt-tightening if the playground is to stay open. The group left applying for an events licence quite late, believing small-scale fundraising groups to be unaffected by the new laws. However, members discovered that everything the group does - from its bonfire to every car boot sale - would be put under close scrutiny by licensing chiefs. Trustee Chris Keens said: "We didn't think the laws affected us because we don't have a bar, we just want to raise money with a firework display that is far safer than lots of individuals holding their own at home. "The laws have been overcomplicated, big- time. Others foresaw the situation and applied early, so they could correct it in time if they made a mistake. "We didn't, so what was going to be a little village group raising funds for the upkeep of a playground has become very hard. "The playground is becoming more and more popular with parents, so we need to keep money coming in. "We need to maintain the equipment and pay the insurance, and the bonfire would more or less cover that." The insurance for the playground, which the group built and maintains itself, is around £1,000. But laws covering everything from the number of people attending through to ensuring recorded music will not be played over the PA mean the group simply cannot put the event on. Mr Keens added: "They wanted to know if under 499 people were coming. Once you get over 500, that's a different kettle of fish, new laws again. "But how can we say exactly how many will come? We can't close the gate at 498 people. The last two years has seen 1,000 people come, but if it rains we may only get 200. "We can't have a PA for safety announcements and play recorded music at other times, because that needs a public entertainment licence. "Even the car boot sales need licensing, but the laws are so confusing that we daren't do anything at the moment. "We have funds in reserve, but after April things will get very hard." And the laws have also forced Mr Keens to appeal to residents to avoid holding their own event at the site in place of the traditional bash - for fear he could be slapped with a £20,000 fine. He said: "Usually we are begging people to come. This year we are asking them to stay away. "Because we don't have a licence we have already been told that someone will be watching us. Any trustee of the land, myself included, will be fined if an event is held there as we will be seen to be responsible." He is also asking people to stop taking rubbish to the site for the bonfire, as the group has nowhere to put it now the event has been cancelled. Now its main fundraiser has been cancelled, and with all others currently looking doubtful, the group is appealing for sponsors to help pay for the upkeep of the recreation ground. Mr Keens said: "These laws will see the death of small village fundraisers. It is a real backward step. It is going to cost more money to stage a fundraising event than you will make in return." Anyone interested in helping the Hammer Hill Recreation Association can contact Chris Keens on 01428 654936.