Ventura fireworks tonight in Southampton (From This is Hampshire)

Ventura fireworks tonight in Southampton

2:52pm Friday 18th April 2008

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A SPECTACULAR offshore fireworks display that was due to send Ventura on her way has turned into a damp squib.

The brand new cruise ship will depart on her maiden voyage this evening and was due to be sent off with a huge fireworks display off the south coast.

But the soggy and windy weather has forced P&O bosses to call the original fireworks plan off.

The 115,000-ton super ship was expected to leave Southampton and then moor up off the coast of Gosport while fireworks were launched off a barge out at sea.

But the fireworks will now be launched from Southampton Water as Ventura sets off for the Mediterranean, where it is more sheltered from the strong winds.

A spokesman for P&O said: "It is quite open water where the fireworks display was due to take place. Because of the high winds, it is no longer safe to do that.

"We are delaying the sailing until 8.15pm and the fireworks will be launched from Southampton Water instead as it is more sheltered there."

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