THE night sky was ablaze with dazzling colour as thousands flocked to Southampton for a Daily Echo-backed fireworks extravaganza.

Crowds lined the shore at Mayflower Park and watched open-mouthed as spectacular and deafening explosions lit up the skyline.

More than £10,000 was splashed out on the magical display, organised by Southampton Round Table.

The fireworks fizzed, banged and whizzed their way into the sky from Williams Shipping Barge, moored on Southampton Water.

The 20-minute display, fired off by new city company Komodo Fireworks Ltd, raised thousands for charities including Radio Lollipop, Simon Says, Well Being, Fairbridge Solent, Southampton Christmas Cafe, and Southampton and Isle of Wight Youth Options. In the run-up to the main event, families had enjoyed an afternoon of entertainment and funfair rides courtesy of Coles.

• Click here for more photographs

Rose Bowl fireworks

● MORE than 10,000 people attended the Rose Bowl’s annual fireworks night on Friday. Demand was so high that Rose Bowl staff had to turn a few unlucky people away. The capacity crowd was also entertained by fun fair rides and Take That tribute band, Simply Take That.