THOUSANDS flocked to Southampton's waterfront park for the city's official Bonfire Night celebrations this weekend.

Cold and clear skies attracted around 11,000 people to Mayflower Park on Saturday night for the Daily Echo-sponsored event. The celebrations started early in the afternoon with a Coles funfair and a roadshow to entertain the crowds.

A continuous shower of fireworks was set off from a barge in the water lasting over 30 minutes, finally ending in a spectactular pyrotechnic cloudburst.

Organiser David Rayner said the night was "one of the best ever".

"It was a great display and because the weather was so good people came along early for the funfair and stayed right through to the fireworks."

The display is the city's official firework night and is organised by the Round Table.

Profits from the event also backed by the city council are estimated to have reached around £12,000 so far.

They will be shared out between the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust, Radio Lollipop at the Children's Ward of the General Hospital and other charities.

Guy Fawkes night in Hampshire went quietly with firefighters only having to deal with minor incidents.

The county's fire service received more than 94 calls during Friday night of which 40 were to bonfire celebrations.

A spokesman from the fire service said most of the incidents were related to youths throwing fireworks.

No injuries were reported.

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