RESIDENTS and visitors to a North-East city have been given a spectacular glimpse of the displays in store for them over the next three weeks.

Groupe F's residency in Newcastle and Gateshead was given a flaming start at the weekend.

The French pyrotechnics company, which lit up the Eiffel Tower on Millennium Eve and the Olympic Stadium, in Athens, will illuminate Newcastle and Gateshead's iconic architecture.

The displays, which are designed to be seen by people across the city, started with shooting stars on Saturday.

Two large trucks were needed to transport the fireworks and the company's equipment to the North-East.