BONFIRE Night will be extra special in Lancaster this year as the city marks the 400th anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot.

The annual Fireworks Spectacular on Saturday, November 5, always attracts thousands of visitors to the city.

But this year it will be supported by a full day of events commemorating Guy Fawkes and the infamous plot of 1605.

The daytime history programme will include music from the period, performed in the Penny Almshouses Chapel, Judges' Lodgings and Royal Kings Arms Hotel, by costumed performers.

And there will also be Lancaster 1605' guided walks, exploring the county town at the time of the plot and including the persecution of priests and the trial of the Pendle Witches.

Two topical talks complete the bill - with Chris Robson on Guy Fawkes: The Other Side of the Coin' at St Peter's Cathedral and Dr Andrew White relating the twisted tale of the conspiracy at the Royal Kings Arms Hotel.

Full details are in a free programme available from Tourist Information Centres in both Lancaster and Morecambe.