Revellers at this year’s Lewes Bonfire are being urged to wear safety goggles in an attempt to cut the number of serious injuries.

The plea is part of a series of safety measures after 170 people were injured at last November’s event, including two visitors who were left permanently blinded.

Police are promising a crackdown on powerful rookie fireworks with officers saying they will arrest anyone seen to be throwing the deer scarers, designed to be used by farmers.

Emergency services have cancelled annual leave and have dedicated a higher ratio ofstaff to the event than last year in an attempt to reduce the number of injuries.

Last year’s spike in injuries has been attributed to the use of powerful “drop down rookie” fireworks.

The deer scarers contain a tube of gunpowder tightly packed with concrete or clay bungs.

When it goes off the bung shoots out the end inflicting injuries similar to that of a hand grenade.

James Page, leader of Lewes District Council, said he would be watching the procession from his office on Monday, but will wear goggles if he enters the crowd.

He said: “We sit on an advisory group along with the police and other bodies and safety goggles were suggested as a sensible safety measure.

“You can get all sorts of safety goggles from shops like Fix It.”

Edward Pringle, Ophthalmologist at Sussex Eye Hospital, said: “The injuries are similar to those from a hand grenade and warzone injures and one in six will need to have their eye removed. Half will be completely blind.”

Around 200 police officers will be scattered throughout the town from early afternoon.

They are promising a zero tolerance approach towards irresponsible and dangerous behaviour and have vowed to arrest anyone seen throwing fireworks into crowds.

Chief Superintendent Robin Smith said: “Last year a number of people received very serious eye injuries. We simply cannot allow that to happen again.”

Ron Kirkwood, Lewes Fire Station manager, added that his men would be patrolling the streets on Monday night with eye protection and urged the other emergency services to do the same.

He said: “We will have 15 firefighters dedicated to the event as well as an officer in police control, an off-road vehicle and a fire engine at base.”

He added they had secured extra road closures to enable them to get to potential danger spots easier.

A spokesman for South East Coast Ambulance Service said it has had dedicated the same staff levels to the event as last year.

However, because bonfire night falls on a Monday, it is expecting fewer spectators this year – enabling a higher staff ratio.

Along with the St John Ambulance they will have five “foot teams”, five ambulances and an advanced treatment centre set up in the town.

The Lewes Bonfire is one of the country’s biggest and most famous fire- work celebrations.