THOUSANDS of people enjoyed the first of the region’s bonfire displays with a fireworks show that was out of this world.

Darlington’s annual display, held in South Park on Saturday, commemorated the 40th anniversary since man first walked on the moon.

Nearly 50,000 people turned up to the event, which combined fireworks and music.

A musical ensemble performed classical and pop music with a space theme, including Gustav Holst’s The Planets and David Bowie’s Space Oddity.

Music taken from films included Star Wars, ET and 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Transmissions from astronauts were also played, including Neil Armstrong’s “small step for man, giant leap for mankind” quote.

The display also provided an opportunity for a collection for local charities by Darlington Rotary Club and Darlington Lions.

Darlington’s display was the first of the year in the region.

Durham Police and fire brigade will hold a bonfire and fireworks display at Aykley Heads, Durham City, on Thursday; entry is from 5pm, with the bonfire at 7pm and fireworks at 7.30pm.

The Bishop Auckland bonfire will be held at the town rugby club from 5.30pm to 8.30pm on Wednesday.

In east Cleveland, Skinningrove’s display, on Thursday, will have a Viking theme.

Stockton’s fire will take place on the same night in Riverside Road.

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.

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.

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.