SEASONAL festivities should go with a bang in parts of the North-East thanks to several grants.

The centre of celebrations on Tyneside this year will be a New Year's Eve fireworks spectacular, simultaneously set off from four sites on both sides of the river at midnight.

The sites for the display have been chosen to ensure as many people as possible can see the fireworks show ushering in 2004 in Newcastle and neighbouring Gateshead.

Backing for the event has come from a fund set up by Newcastle City Council and Gateshead Council.

Other events and activities to receive funding include the floodlighting of a Newcastle church, a scheme to provide more Christmas trees across Tyneside, and gatherings for children and elderly people.

The money will also go towards an all-day winter festival in Lemington and brass band performances.

Councillor Ged Bell, Newcastle City Council's cabinet member for culture, tourism and sport, said: "The way that Newcastle and Gateshead is marking the New Year is very different, because we are making sure that the community is at the heart of the celebrations.

"As well as working to make the midnight fireworks visible to more communities across the city, giving grants to individual community celebrations will ensure those who might otherwise not be involved will be included in events in their own area."