THOUSANDS of free tickets are being distributed to an organised firework display, to ensure a safe November 5.

A total of 10,000 tickets are being given away - a maximum of five per person - in the run up to the Redcar and Cleveland Council display, on Redcar Racecourse.

According to the council, tickets are already going fast through the town's business centre, council offices and selected high street shops. People arriving at the event without a ticket will not be admitted.

John Partridge, Redcar town centre manager, said: "We are delighted with the take-up. Many shops have already come back to us asking for more supplies. All the indications are that we will have a 10,000 crowd on the night."

The event is one of four in the borough, the other sites being Grangetown, Guisborough and Skinningrove.