Fireworks fans searching for the best displays and the most comprehensive information should put their computers into action before rocketing into bonfire night action.

There are hundreds of web sites devoted to every aspect of bonfire night celebrations.

Bonfire night marks the defeat in 1605 of a conspiracy to blow up the Houses of Parliament and the then king, James I.

A good place to start is the This is Brighton and Hove site, which contains a full list of public firework displays being held around Sussex. It has a section on Britain's most spectacular bonfire event in Lewes.

More than 70,000 visitors flock to see the town's five bonfire societies battle to put on the most spectacular displays.

The site includes a parades timetable, travel information, a gallery of photographs from the 2001 event and a history of Lewes bonfires.

It says the event, which used to be notorious for its violence and burning effigies of the Pope, dates back before the Gunpowder Plot to Queen Mary's rule, when 17 protestant martyrs from Lewes were burned at the stake. These martyrs are remembered with 17 blazing crosses carried by the Cliffe Society, which has its own site.

Other Sussex sites include the Rye and District Bonfire Society, which covers the bonfire and torchlit procession taking place on November 9, and the Hastings Borough Bonfire Society home page For historical information, visit the site of the Gunpowder Plot Society, which aims to encourage research in to the history of bonfire celebrations.

It covers everything from the history of the period, facts and theories to profiles of the conspirators and other key characters. There is also a downloadable archive of source material, including correspondence and legal transcriptions such as confessions.

Other historical sites include Bonfire Night - The Gunpowder Plot and Guy Fawkes and Bonfire Night.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (Rospa) site has practical information to make sure fireworks and bonfire events are safe and fun. Last year 1,362 people were injured by fireworks during a four-week period around November 5.

The site also contains a brief history of fireworks and bonfire night. It says Chinese crackers were probably the first fireworks to be made about 2,000 years ago.

They are still used in China to celebrate weddings, births and religious festivals - and to scare away evil spirits.

More information about the firework code and safety can be found on the National Campaign for Firework Safety's site, along with information about the British Standard for Fireworks.

Of course, bonfire night wouldn't be the same without the right food. Hookery Cookery's site includes recipes for traditional favourites such as toffee apples and parkin to new dishes such as bonfire fried chicken.

If you're looking for a long-lasting reminder of the celebrations, Peter Cole, a member of the Lewes Artisans, has produced action figures depicting the Gunpowder Plot, in 1/32 scale. You can view the figures at Replastics.

Whatever you decide to do make sure you have safe fun.

thisisbrightonandhove.co.uk
www.cliffebonfire.co.uk
www.rye-tourism.co.uk/bonfire
www.users.globalnet.co.uk/bonboy/hbbs.htm
www.gunpowder-plot.org
web.ukonline.co.uk/conker/archive/gunpowder-plot.htm
www.bonfire.org/guy/index.php
www.rospa.co.uk/cms/viewarticle.asp?article=3070
www.angelfire.com/co3/NCFS
www.hookerycookery.com/bfire-menu.htm
www.lewesartisans.com
www.replastics.com