A fireworks display at the County Cricket Ground in Hove has been called off over fears it would damage the pitch.

With less than five weeks to go, Sussex County Cricket Club has pulled the plug on the event, which would have netted thousands of pounds for its junior academy.

The club had asked Brighton Lions Club to put on the fund-raising event - which was expected to raise more than £6,000 - on November 4.

The Lions' John Alden said: "Half the proceeds were to go to the club's own junior cricket academy which they're building.

"It is as much a great shame for them as it is for us because we are missing a chance to raise money on a Saturday night."

Ian Waring, manager of the academy project, called Cricket Year Zero, said the wicket at the ground had been reseeded and wet weather had made it even more delicate.

He said fireworks had in the past left chemical stains and burn marks on the grass.

He said: "Tougher grass may be able to stand it but the new shoots are too tender. The damage would be irreparable."

Club officials looked into ways of protecting the pitch in Eaton Road, Hove, before cancelling the event.

But Mr Waring said the options they had looked at, which included covering the pitch in sheeting and building a protective structure over it, had been too expensive.

The club's new groundsman, who was appointed in September, refused to let the event go ahead.

Mr Waring said: "This is not a decision which we have rushed into because the club is missing out either way.

"Our appeal for the academy will lose out, but if the pitch was damaged we would have to wait until spring next year to replant the grass for it to germinate. The ground should be ready to be played on in April."

Now the Lions - who would have divided the proceeds equally between the academy and other charities - are trying to find another venue for the display.

Mr Alden said: "It leaves us in a bit of a spot, but fortunately although we have ordered the fireworks we haven't handed over the money."

However, the main Lions fireworks display on November 5 at Withdean Stadium will still go ahead.