Spectators are dazzled by annual display

An array of glittering colours lit the skyline during a jaw-dropping display, which was put on by Nemesis Pyrotechnics.

Thousands of people from across the region flocked to King George V playing fields in Cosham to be dazzled by various fireworks at the free event, which had a pirate theme this year.

There was also a bonfire lit before the main display that helped set the scene and children were left entertained by fairground games, rides and inflatable slides.

The fireworks lasted just under 20 minutes and the crowd expressed their excitement when joining in the countdown to the start of the display along with the deputy Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Councillor Ken Ellcome.

Bob Britton, from Hill Head, was among those who praised the show, which was organised by Portsmouth City Council.

He said: ‘It’s a really good event – we always come every year.

‘There’s plenty of entertainment for the kids which keeps them off the streets.’

Susannah and Andy Norton, from Cosham, went to the event with their two daughters Annabel and Winter.

On the clear and crisp evening, Susannah said: ‘We have got really good weather for it.

‘It is great that it has not rained like it sometimes it has done in the past.

‘It is a really popular event and great fun.

‘Everyone you speak to throughout the day says they’re going and you see a lot of people you know here.

‘It’s great they have a missing child tent set up if any of them do get lost.’

Graham Thompson, who attended with his wife Claire and children Jessica and Oliver, said: ‘We tend to come most years.

‘It is a free event which is good for families who attend.’