ORGANISERS of an annual firework display held at the weekend have hailed it a huge success.

It is estimated about 12,000 people converged on Seaton Carew, near Hartlepool, to watch this year's display.

Hartlepool Borough Council, which organised the display, said it was the biggest attendance they had had at the event.

A spokesman said: "The event was a tremendous success with a terrific display of fireworks.

"We estimate around 12,000 people were there, which is possibly the largest number we have ever had for this event. There may even have been more. All in all it was a fabulous evening which delighted people of all ages."

Entertainment at the event was also provided by a roadshow from Hartlepool FM, with one spectator winning a year's supply of bread and another a mountain bike from the bakers Warburtons.

Preparations are now well under way for Stockton's Festival of Fireworks tomorrow.

The footpath along the north bank, from the Watersports Centre leading to the Princess of Wales Bridge, will be closed all day and the bridge itself will be closed from 6pm to 10pm.

Other road closures include the Riverside Road, from 6pm to 10pm, and the Millennium footbridge will be closed from 7.15pm for about 45 minutes.

The Riverside car park will be closed all day tomorrow with some restrictions today as preparations take place for the TFM roadshow.

From 6pm tomorrow access to Bishop Street behind the police station will be restricted, and the northern section of the Riverside car park will reopen on Friday.