A village fireworks factory is aiming to enter the Guinness Book of World Records for creating the largest pyrotechnical Catherine Wheel – one year after its previous attempt was thwarted by strong winds.

“We promised we would try again and we have spent the past year working on a new, improved structure,” Keith Dingli from Our Lady of the Lilies fireworks factory told The Sunday Times.

The record attempt is set to take place in a field at the Centenary Feast of Our Lady of the Lillies in Mqabba on Saturday at 9.30 p.m. Mr Dingli would like to see a big, supportive crowd on the night, although he admitted that he and his fellow organisers feel under pressure to deliver.

“Everywhere we go people ask about the record and I know some people have postponed trips abroad to watch the attempt. We have done the best we can and we will leave everything in God’s hands on Saturday,” he said.

The new, heavier construction can hold more pyrotechnics than last year’s version and it has been designed by an architect to withstand stronger winds.

Mr Dingli estimates that close to 100 people have helped in the design and preparation of the structure, unlike last year’s version which was the work of just a few people from the family-run factory.

The current record for the largest functioning Catherine Wheel stands at 85ft in diameter. Although Mr Dingli does not yet want to reveal the actual size of the Mqabba structure, he did confirm it is bigger than the model they built last year.

The wheel will have to complete at least one 360˚ turn to be deemed successful and a senior adjudicator from the Guinness Book of Records is flying to Malta to monitor proceedings.

Mr Dingli gave assurances that the public will be kept more than the safe distance required by law away from the Catherine Wheel and all the necessary safety regulations will be in place.