POLICE think the decision to stop running trains into Lewes today will cut the bonfire attendance by up to 50 per cent.

People are being urged to “stay local” for fireworks displays.

Emergency services, along with Southern Rail, decided to stop trains running into Lewes past midday.

Chief Superintendent Neil Honnor thinks the measures will reduce the number of revellers at tonight’s display to between 30,000 and 35,000.

He told The Argus: “The issue is that when it [Lewes Bonfire] takes place on weekends, many more people come.

“In previous years, over 60,000 have attended, which is too many for the procession part of the event.”

The Sussex Police chief said the force has worked with the other emergency services as part of a “partnership group” to reduce the numbers going to Lewes and thinks the move will help the night flow more smoothly than in years before.

He added: “Thirty five thousand people is much more manageable.”

Bus services into Lewes will be running for slightly longer, finishing at 4pm.

There will also be road closures in addition to the train services skipping the town.

Chief Supt Honnor said the partnership group, which includes the ambulance service and Lewes District Council, has been working together for the past year to devise a plan to keep the celebrations as safe as possible.

Due to recent terrorist attacks in the UK, the threat level is at its maximum – and Lewes bonfire will have high security, including armed police.

Chief Supt Honnor said: “There will be more officers this year than previously, supported by ambulance and fire services and a security company brought in by the district council.”

In order to keep some sort of direction in place for the night, the partnership has liaised with a safety advisory organisation.

Chief Supt Honnor said that Lewes was a difficult event to manage because it did not have an authority body to organise it.

“We are only there to respond,” he said.

In the build-up to Lewes Bonfire, now in its 164th year, the partnership had been issuing a “stay local” plea to members of the public planning to travel from other towns and cities.

Chief Supt Honnor said: “My guidance and advice would be to stay local for bonfire night.

“There are lots of organised events [in Sussex].”

For details about fireworks events taking place around the county, go to esfrs.org/contact-us/stay-local.

l Don’t miss Monday’s Argus for an eight-page pullout on the Lewes Bonfire celebrations.