CITY bosses are set to ask for improvements to a fireworks display after "people were crushed and children left crying" at a chaotic display.

Attendees at the Southampton Fireworks Festival on Saturday were left furious following a number of issues at the event.

Many were left disappointed as they were unable to even get through the main gates at Mayflower Park.

Visitors told the Echo they saw "people getting crushed and children crying" as crowds rushed to watch the display.

Now Southampton City Council has said it will speak to organisers to "ensure improvements can be made".

A spokesperson told the Daily Echo: "The firework display at Mayflower Park was not organised by the city council but we have been made aware that some visitors were not completely satisfied with their experience.

"As the event was held on council land, we intend to discuss various aspects of the event with the organiser, to ensure improvements can be made in future."

One resident, Ross Moncaster, attended the event with his partner and friend.He said they have visited the display almost every year, but described it as "akin to Woodstock '99".

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Another resident, Dean Rofe, paid £28 for tickets to get into the event and described the evening as a "complete farce".

He said he joined the queue at 6pm and claimed it didn't move for an hour.

He was unable to make it through the gates before the fireworks began and said his view from outside the park was blocked by a lorry.

"An utter shambles and there were hundreds of people in the same position as me," he said.

The Daily Echo has attempted to contact the Southampton Fireworks Festival for comment.

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