TENS of thousands of people across the region will enjoy firework displays over the next few days.

As the days count down to November 5, the North will be alight with sparklers and illuminations.

One of the biggest displays in the region is planned for tomorrow, in South Park, Darlington.

Darlington Borough Council’s event draws inspiration from the International Year of Astronomy.

The display will be themed around the 40th anniversary of man landing on the moon.

An estimated 50,000 people are expected to view the display.

Councillor Stephen Harker said: “It is one of the biggest and best fireworks displays in the region. More and more people come year-on-year, and the event always has a real community feel.”

Children from the McNay Street Children’s Centre, in Darlington, have added the finishing touches to a huge guy that will be one of the centrepieces at the event.

The gates to South Park will open at 6pm, with the fireworks expected to start at 7.30pm.

Visitors can access the event at entrances in Victoria Embankment, Bedford Street and Henderson Street, as well as the Parkside entrance.

Parking in Darlington town centre will be limited, so the council is encouraging people to use public transport.

There will be road closures from 5pm to 9pm in Victoria Embankment, Bedford Street and all the side roads between Bedford Street and Clifton Road.

Another large event will be staged by Durham Police and fire brigade at the police headquarters in Aykley Heads, Durham, on Thursday.

Entry to the playing fields will be from 5pm. The bonfire will be lit at 7pm, followed by fireworks at 7.30pm.

Parking is available nearby the DLI Museum and Art Gallery.

Bishop Auckland will host its annual bonfire night celebrations at the town rugby club from 5.30pm to 8.30pm on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, this year’s annual bonfire display at Skinningrove, east cleveland, on Wednesday, will have a Viking theme.

Organisers are building a Viking ship bonfire, and children have helped to make Viking globes and Celtic ravens.

What’s on where across the region

County Durham

Bishop Auckland: Wednesday. Rugby Club.

Funfair, refreshments, bonfire and fireworks from 5.30pm to 8.30pm. Free entry.

Chester-le-Street:Saturday, November 7. Cricket Club, Ropery Lane. Fireworks display from 6pm, refreshments and sideshows.

£3 for adults, £2 for children, from the club, 0191-388-3684.

Crook: Next Friday. Crook Cricket Club. Disco starts 6pm and continues after fireworks at 7.30pm. Food on sale.

Darlington: Tomorrow. South Park. Gates open 6pm, bonfire 7pm, fireworks 7.30pm. Entry free.

Durham: Thursday. Durham Police Headquarters, Aykley Heads.

Gate 5pm, bonfire 7pm, fireworks 7.30pm. Entry £3 for adults, £2 for children, free for under-fives.

Gainford: Saturday, November 7. On village green. Bonfire 6.30pm, fireworks 7pm. Entry by donation. Stalls, barbecue and fair rides available.

Lanchester: Saturday, November 7. Kitswell Park. Fire 6.30pm. Free entry.

Newton Aycliffe: Thursday. Oakleaf Sports Complex, School Aycliffe Lane.

Bonfire 7pm, followed by fireworks. Entry is free.

Peterlee: Thursday. From 6pm to 8pm at Helford Road Sports Ground.

Entry free.

Sadberge: Thursday. Three Tuns Inn.

Bonfire 6.30pm, fireworks 6.45pm. Refreshments available. Free entry.

Seaham: Next Friday. North Terrace, from 7pm. Entry free.

Sedgefield: Wednesday. Ceddesfeld Hall.

Fireworks 7pm. Tickets £2 for adults, £1 for children, from Sedgefield post office (£3 and £1.50 on the night).

Spennymoor: Thursday. High Whitworth playing fields. Bonfire 7pm, fireworks 7.30pm. Entry free, but donations collected in aid of Butterwick Hospice.

Stainton: Tomorrow. Near West Farm.

Fireworks 6.45pm. £6 for adults, £3 for children. Quiz, fancy dress, lantern competition and hot food.

Whorlton: Saturday, November 7. On village green. Bonfire 6pm, fireworks 6.30pm. Entry by donations. Hot food and drink and licensed bar after.

North Yorkshire

Bedale: Saturday, November 7. Bedale Park. Free entry. Bonfire 6pm.

Fireworks 6.45pm.

Danby Wiske: Next Friday. On field near the river at village boundary.

Bonfire 6.30pm. Entry by donation to pay for next year’s display.

Easingwold; Saturday, November 7.

Easingwold Maze. From 7pm.

Entry £7 per family.

Harrogate: Saturday, November 7.

Oatland Stray, 7pm. Entry free, but a collection held in aid of Henshaws Society for blind people.

Newsham: Thursday. Dyson Lane. Bonfire and fireworks at 6.30pm.

Barbecue available. Admission by donation.

Northallerton: Thursday. Applegarth.

Fireworks, bonfire, fairground rides and bouncy castle from 6.30pm. Entry free.

Richmond: Thursday, November 5.

Richmond Castle. Gate 6pm, fireworks 7pm. Entry £3, free for under-fives.

York: Thursday. York Maze. Gate 4pm, fireworks 6.30pm, bonfire 7.30pm. Fireworks set to music at 8pm. Tickets £10 for adults and £7.50 for under-16s, must be booked, on 01904-415364.

Teesside

Redcar: Thursday. The Stray, Redcar.

Fireworks 7.30pm. Entry free.

Free park-and-ride from Majuba Road car park from 6pm.

Saltburn: Thursday. Saltburn Cricket Club. Bonfire and fireworks from 7.30pm. Entry £3 for adults, £2.50 for children.

Hartlepool: Saturday, November 7. Seaton Carew seafront. Fireworks 6.30pm. Children’s rides and entertainment from 4pm. Entry free. Park-and-ride from Tesco.

Skinningrove: Thursday. On beach.

Entertainment from 6.30pm.

Fireworks 7pm. Entry free.

Stockton: Thursday. Riverside Road.

Fireworks 7.30pm. Entry free Real radio entertainment.

Tyne and Wear

Benton: Thursday. Novos Rugby Club, Sutherland Park. Bonfire and fireworks from 7pm. Entry £3, £2 for children under 16, £10 for car and passengers.

Felling Thursday. Oliver Henderson Park, Felling. Fires lit 7pm, fireworks 7.30pm. Entry free.

Gateshead: Thursday. Saltwell Park, Low Fell. Fires 7pm, fireworks 7.30pm. Entry free.

Gosforth: Thursday. Broadway West Playing Fields, Football pitches off Broadway West. Bonfire 6.15pm, fireworks 7.15pm. £3 for adults, £1 for children.

Proceeds to local charity.

Newcastle: Thursday. Elswick Park, off Beech Grove Road, West City.

Fireworks 7.30pm. Entry free.

Newcastle: Thursday. City Stadium, off Warwick Street, Sandyford.

Fireworks 6.30pm. Entry free.

Ryton: Thursday. Barmoor. Fires 7pm, fireworks 7.30pm. Entry free.

Wallsend: Thursday. Segedunum Roman fort and museum. Fireworks 7pm. Free entry.

Whitley Bay: Sunday. Seafront. Fireworks 7pm. Free entry.