Enfield Council has scaled down plans to mark the 400th anniversary of the infamous Gunpowder Plot with a potential fireworks display, amid fears it would smack of insensitivity in the wake of the July 7 London bombings.

Plans for Forty Hall to stage a re-enactment of the events of November 5, 1605, when Guy Fawkes and his co-conspirators failed in their bid to blow up the Houses of Parliament, have now been shelved and organisers are discussing alternative options.

A spokeswoman for the council said: "A big, loud bang in the middle of the night is a bad idea at the moment so the original plans have been ditched.

"We haven't worked out exactly what we are going to do yet the event is still on the drawing board, but it will be marked in a sensitive way."

Enfield has longstanding links with the Gunpowder Plot, as Guy Fawkes and his team are known to have used a safe house in Whitewebbs Lane, Enfield. He is also thought to have drunk at the King and Tinker pub, known then as The White Hart.

Forty Hall manager Gavin Williams told the Independent the celebrations are likely to include a walking tour, where he plans to dress up as Guy Fawkes, and an exhibition on the Gunpowder Plot.

He added: "It is not the case that we are downplaying the Gunpowder Plot but obviously we don't want to do anything involving big explosions.

"It just requires sensible re-thinking to make sure it is respectful."

The final plans to celebrate November 5 will be released nearer the time.