Darlington'S fireworks display will be action-packed, with a world-renowned expert at the helm.

This year's bonfire night, being staged tomorrow, is expected to draw tens of thousands of people to the town's South Park.

The event, which attracted 120,000 visitors last year, has been given the 21st Century treatment. One of the world's leading pyrotechnic and display designers, Graham Wilkinson, will again be providing the spectacle.

The event begins at 6pm, with a music roadshow hosted by 96.6TFM Radio and Magic 1170. A giant bonfire will be lit at 7pm and the borough council's fireworks display is from 7.30pm and 8pm.

The crew from the new TFM breakfast show have joined Darlington Borough Council chiefs to launch the event.

Proceeds go to the charitable fund set up by Mayor Doris Jones.

For further information, contact the event hotline on (01325) 388410.

Thousands expected at council's event

MORE than 8,000 spectators are expected to attend Great Aycliffe Town Council's annual professionally-fired fireworks display.

The event is on Tuesday, in the grounds of the Oak Leaf Sports Complex, in School Aycliffe Lane, Newton Aycliffe.

The council will provide free hot soup and there will be a variety of catering stands. Children's fairground rides will help to provide a carnival atmosphere.

The signal for the lighting of the beacon will be given by the Mayor of Great Aycliffe, Councillor Michael Dalton, at 7pm, with the display starting at 7.15pm.

A council spokesman said: "The spectacular display is made up entirely of aerial fireworks which explode hundreds of feet into the air, so you do not have to get to the front of the crowd to see the effects.

"In fact, you will get a better view if you stand back from the barriers."

The aim of an organised display is to provide a safe and enjoyable evening for all those who attend.

Organisers are warning that spectators must not take their own fireworks or sparklers.

Those intending to go by car should be aware that there is no on-site parking and drivers should use the roads of the Aycliffe Industrial Estate.

Further information is available from Great Aycliffe Town Council, Council Offices, School Aycliffe Lane, Newton Aycliffe, telephone (01325) 300700, or the Oakleaf Sports Complex on (01325) 300600.

DARLINGTON AND SOUTH WEST DURHAM

DARLINGTON: Tomorrow. Bonfire and fireworks at South Park from 6pm. 96.6TFM roadshow, refreshments, bonfire lit at 7pm followed by fireworks and laser display. Collection for mayor's charity.

REDWORTH: Tomorrow. Bonfire lit at 6pm and village hall will be open for refreshments. Proceeds to village hall funds.

HEIGHINGTON: Tuesday. Bonfire lit at 6.30pm on village sports field followed by fireworks. Refreshments.

NEWTON AYCLIFFE: Tuesday. Oakleaf Sports Complex. No bonfire, but beacon lit at 7pm. Fireworks from 7.15pm. Refreshments. Admission free.

NEWTON AYCLIFFE: Tomorrow. Scout's Hut, Bluebell Way. Bonfire lit at 7pm followed by fireworks. Disco in the hall afterwards. Refreshments on sale. Admission free, but donations welcome. Small charge for disco.

SEDGEFIELD: Tomorrow. Ceddesfeld Hall grounds. No bonfire, fireworks from 6.30pm. Admission £1 adults, 50p children, available on the night or in advance from town council offices, post office and Ceddesfeld Hall.

Bishop Auckland: Monday, at West Mills playing fields, below Newton Cap. There will be a funfair and refreshments from 5.30pm, bonfire lit at 7pm followed by firework and music extravaganza from 7.20pm. Entrance is free but collections for the Butterwick Hospice and Bishop Auckland General Hospital's diabetic clinic. A limited number of disabled parking spaces available on (01388) 761605.

SPENNYMOOR: Tuesday, the town council's bonfire and fireworks display next to Jubilee Park, Carr Lane, from 7pm. There will be entertainment, music and refreshments. Donations on the night go to the mayor's charity fund.

GAINFORD: Saturday, November 9. On the village green. Bonfire lit at 6.30pm, fireworks at 7pm. Barbecue food will be available from 6pm.

WHORLTON: Tomorrow. Bonfire on the village green lit at 7pm followed by fireworks. Refreshments available.

CLEATLAM: Tuesday. Bonfire on the village green lit at 6.30pm followed by fireworks.

STARTFORTH: Monday. Scouts' bonfire night at Startforth Hall. Bonfire lit at 6.30pm and fireworks at 7pm. Refreshments. Tickets £3.50 for adults, £2.50 for children. Tickets available from Castle News and Evans News, in Barnard Castle, or at the gate.

MIDDLESBROUGH AND TEESSIDE

GRANGETOWN: Tuesday. The fifth Guy Fawkes' night fun at Kingsley Road playing fields is from 7pm to 9pm. Attractions include a motorcycle display team, a children's fireworks display and hot food.

GUISBOROUGH: Tuesday. A fireworks display at King George V playing field starts at 7.30pm.

SKINNINGROVE: Tuesday. Annual bonfire night celebrations start at 7pm on the beach.

STOCKTON: Tuesday. Fireworks at Stockton's Riverside from 7.30pm. 96.6TFM and Magic 1170 entertain from 6.30pm. Refreshments and free admission.

HARTLEPOOL: Tomorrow. Organised fireworks display on Seaton Carew beach from 6.30pm. Sand sculpting, children's rides and stalls from 1pm. Entertainment by North-East band The Incredible Skank Brothers. Shuttle buses from Tesco car park, Burn Road, 5pm to 6.15pm, priced at £2 for return family ticket or 80p for adults, 40p for children.

NORTH AND EAST DURHAM

NEWCASTLE: Tuesday, 7pm, Gosforth Round Table display, Broadway West Playing Field, 7pm. Children's fairground rides and stalls. Admission is £1.50 adults and £1 children, Newburn Leisure Centre, Grange Road, 7pm, bar, catering, disco and barbecue, free admission. Also Nunsmoor Park, off Studley Terrace, 7pm. Refreshments, bands and entertainers, free admission.

DURHAM: Tomorrow. Durham City Rugby Club, off Green Lane, Durham. Gates open 6.30pm, firework display (no bonfire) from 7.30pm. £2 adults, £1 children.

EASINGTON COLLIERY: Wed-nesday. Next to Colliery Club, Seaside Lane. From 6.30pm, parish council firework display (no bonfire). Admission free.

PETERLEE: Tuesday. Helford Road Playing Field, organised by town council. Bonfire lit at 6.15pm, firework display from 6.30pm. Admission free.

SEAHAM: Monday. Viewing from Terrace Green or sea- front. Town council's firework display (no bonfire) from 7pm. Admission free.

LANCHESTER: Tomorrow, 6pm, Bonfire and fireworks, Kitswell Road.

SUNDERLAND: Tuesday, 7.30pm, Fireworks at Ashbrooke Cricket Club, West Lawn, Ashbrooke. Tickets are £1.50, available from the Cricket Club on 0191-528 4536, or on the night.