THIS year's Ledbury Charity Fireworks Bonanza attracted record crowds last Saturday to the Hazle Meadows venue, according to organiser, auctioneer James Pugh.

Before the event, Mr Pugh and his father Howard were hoping to top last year's total, of around 4000 people, and he believes that figure was easily exceeded.

He said: "I would definitely say there were more people there this year than last year. Initially I would say around 5000."

The final tally for the amount raised for charities is still to be announced, but Mr Pugh said it would be "a significant amount".

The chief charity to benefit will be the Midlands Air Ambulance.

The weather behaved itself for what was clearly one of the largest and best organised events on Ledbury's annual calendar, as a full autumn moon rose over the town.

Attractions included the lighting of a huge bonfire. Westons, the Much Marcle-based cider manufacturers, had supplied five artic-loads of pallets to add to the pile, which one Round Table helper said was in the dome shape of the Albert Hall.

A cool November breeze from the north had many spectators shivering before the bonfire was lit by Ledbury fire-fighters in cartoon-character masks. The firefighters were delayed by around 30 minutes, but they arrived to cheers from the expectant though shivering crowd.

The great bonfire was lit by the use of two rockets which, once lit, streaked down a rope into the heart the stacked bonfire. It was the second rocket in particular which really found its mark and soon the bonfire was well ablaze.

The firework displays by Star Fireworks who, in 2013, were Champion of Champions in the British Firework Championships, were both spectacular and much appreciated.

There were two firework displays, in fact - one at 6.30pm and the other at 7.30pm.

Other attractions included a fairground and live music, including jazz and a performance by Ledbury Community Brass Band.