BASINGSTOKE had a fireworks display to be proud of on Tuesday - and it was witnessed by thousands.

Crowds flocked to the War Memorial Park for the Mayor's Firework Fiesta and were treated to a dazzling, half-hour display of colour and noise which illuminated the sky above the town.

However, as well as providing ideal family entertainment, the evening was a great success in swelling the coffers of Mayor Cllr Rita Burgess' appeal for a CLIC (Cancer and Leukaemia in Childhood) nurse for the area.

Tickets, which were priced at £4 for adults and £2 for children, had sold like hot cakes in the days leading up to the event, and when the gates opened the park quickly filled up.

The fun began with fire jugglers performing at 6.30pm.

Their performance was soon followed by the lighting of a huge bonfire.

As the crowds waited for the firework display to begin, there was entertainment in the shape of Walls funfair and music supplied by radio station 2-TEN FM, with popular breakfast show presenters Ollie, Guy and Sarah producing an on-stage performance of their morning capers.

The first firework was let off at 7.50pm. Accompanied by ambient music that progressively quickened, the display lasted exactly 30 minutes. There were plenty of oohs and aahs from the crowd as the fireworks exploded in a mass of colours.

Cllr Burgess said: "The fireworks were wonderful. I want to say a big thank you to everyone who came along and supported the two charities involved and to our sponsors, The Gazette and 2-Ten FM.

"I am grateful to all the people who worked so hard to make the evening such a success, especially all the volunteers on the gates."

You can see a display of pictures from the Mayor's Firework Fiesta in the window of The Gazette's Church Street offices. Don't forget you can order pictures of any event covered by our photographers from our Church Street site.