Bonfire Night has been celebrated across most of Britain for nearly 400 years. In fact, as late as 1959, it was illegal not to celebrate the failed plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament.

Legend has it that it was in the Duck and Drake Inn in London that Guy Fawkes and his fellow conspirators hatched a plan to blow up the King and Parliament and return Britain to Catholicism. Poor old Fawkes and his gang were caught, and then hanged, drawn and quartered - and, ever since, it has been traditional to celebrate the foiling of the coup by burning an effigy of Guy.

More recently, people have braved the cold at their own parties or attended organised firework displays, such as the one at Alexandra Palace in London, all the while scoffing toffee apples and hot dogs.

Now, though, any grown-ups who don't want to freeze their bits off like a brass monkey can try the Longridge Restaurant in Preston, Lancashire, part of the Heathcote Group, which is hosting an alternative bonfire night, offering more sophisticated fare for adults who prefer to stay in the warm. Included on the menu will be parched peas, roast pumpkin soup with truffle oil, baked salmon fillet with chilli, lemon grass and coriander, and glazed toffee apple crŠme br–l‚e with a cinnamon doughnut - and all for £35.

In the meantime...

"Remember, remember the fifth of November,
"Gunpowder, treason and plot.
"I see no reason why gunpowder treason
"Should ever be forgot!"