A council has postponed its fireworks display due to Benny the beluga setting up home in the Thames.

Benny was first spotted in the Thames estuary on September 25, and has been spotted numerous times swimming strongly and feeding normally.

Crowds have gathered from the river bank to catch a glimpse of Benny who has become the area's latest celebrity.

Now, Gravesham Council, based in Kent, has announced its annual fireworks night on November 2 at the Riverside Leisure Area in Gravesend will be postponed.

The fireworks are set off from a barge in the Thames and the council sought environmental advice from the Port of London Authority (PLA) about the impact the fireworks might have on Benny.

It was decided the fireworks would cause a disturbance to Benny.

Councillor David Turner, leader of Gravesham Council, said: “Following advice from the Port of London Authority, we have decided to postpone the Gravesham Fireworks this year.

“While we are very disappointed at having to postpone the fireworks, we understand the need to keep Benny safe, must take priority. Every effort will be made to reschedule this hugely popular event, but a decision cannot be made now as no-one knows how long Benny will remain in residence here.

“While we understand this is also disappointing to the thousands of residents and visitors who enjoy our fantastic fireworks display every year, we have to ensure our special visitor is kept safe and well.

“We have considered alternative sites, but there is not a big enough area we can use for the 15,000 people that attend our fireworks display. Also, the advice given to us is that we ‘should not re-arrange the fireworks to take place near the river in the Gravesend area’, as this may still disturb Benny.

“Keeping Benny safe has to be our priority while he visits us here in Gravesend, thousands of miles from his usual Arctic habitat. I’m sure everyone, while disappointed by this postponement of the fireworks, will understand.”

Gravesham Borough Council has been advised that disturbing the whale would be in breach of the Wildlife and Countryside Act.

With this in mind the council is urging residents and businesses to think twice about holding private firework displays near the river in Gravesend.

The fireworks will be rearranged when Benny leaves Gravesend to go to his winter retreat and we will theme the revised display around Benny, ensuring everyone has a whale of a time!