PLANS are well under way for one of the region's biggest fireworks displays, which is expected to attract more than 70,000 people.

The event at South Park, Darlington, on Saturday, November 6, and is one of the North-East's best-attended events.

For the second successive year, External Combustion has been commissioned by Darlington Borough Council to provide the display.

This year's spectacular celebrates the regeneration of South Park, and both the fireworks and the commissioned music soundtrack will reflect this.

Magic 1170 radio and 96.6TFM will host a music roadshow from a converted double-decker bus called The Monsterbox which, when lit up, looks like a giant radio cassette player.

There will also be the lighting of the traditional bonfire at 7pm.

Gates open at 6pm and the fireworks display starts at 7.30pm.

The event is expected to attract large crowds and that will put huge demands on car parking in the town.

Organisers are advising people to use public transport where possible. Entry and exit will be through Parkside, plus those at Victoria Embankment, Bedford Street and Henderson Street.

A programme of road closures will be in place around the park to provide safe movement for pedestrians.

There will also be a wide range of catering outlets, fairground rides and medical facilities and a lost children centre.