Leigh Park fireworks stun crowd as people power saves beloved annual showÂ

Ash Doba with his wife Joanne and their daughter Grace (8) from Paulsgrove.

Picture: Sarah Standing (180814-8326) — Ash Doba with his wife Joanne and their daughter Grace (8) from Paulsgrove. Picture: Sarah Standing (180814-8326)

Thousands of people gasped in awe at the magnificent show above Leigh Park's Stockheath Common for the annual Bonfire Night celebration.

It coÂ mes following a tumultuous year for the annual community event after Havant Borough Council dealt it a crushing blow by axing the show's funding.Â

However, the community of Leigh Park rallied in support of the show's newÂ Â organisers from the Friends of Stockheath Common Fireworks, raising the Â£6,000 needed to stage the spectacle.

The annual fireworks display at Stockheath Common in Leigh Park (180814-8708)

Sarah Burt, secretary of the group, was part of the committee which helped to find the cash needed for the display.

She said: '˜It's brilliant after such a tough year to be able to walk around and see so many smiling faces. It's lovely to see a community come together.'

The show was kicked-started by a fiery '˜thank-you' message, which was set off by Annabelle Wilcox, six, and Nancy-May Wright, eight.

Thousands of people then marvelled at a display which went on for the best part of 20 minutes.

Families cheered as the event came to end with a stunning finale of fireworks.

Jason Wiggin, 44, of Leigh Park,Â watched the show with wifÂ e Kelly, 36, and children,Â Â Lacie-Mai, two, and Maisie, seven.

He said: '˜We thought it was a brilliant show. We go every year and this year's was great.'

Jade Cross, 28, of Leigh Park, also attended the display with her husband, Robert, 29, and their two children Ezmai, four, and Lyall, two.Â

She said: '˜It's the community that put this on. This just shows the spirit of Leigh Park who helped to save it. It's brilliant because it gets families together.'

Havant's mayor, Councillor Peter Wade also attended and praised the work of volunteers.Â

He said: '˜I never realised there would be so many people here. It's really, really good.'

Mrs Burt praised all those who donated, includingÂ Trosnant Infant and Junior Schools, Barncroft Primary School, and the Heron pub.

But she warned next year the community might need to raise Â£8,000 to stage the event due to cost rises.