THE sky above Swindon was lit up on Saturday night as fireworks popped and burst across the town.

Many people enjoyed their own private parties but the showstoppers were to be found at Lydiard Park and at the Polo Ground off Marlborough Road.

Lydiard offered not only the excitement and spectacle of a professional fireworks display but also the biggest bonfire in town.

The event, now in its 26th year, is the work of scouts and other young volunteers from across Swindon and North Wiltshire.

Organised by the 1st Purton and Lydiard Scout Group, it always attracts thousands of people and this year was no different.

Nick Cresswell, who leads the event team, said: “We use about 20 different Scout groups from the local Swindon district and between us we put on this show. Without their help, this event wouldn’t happen.

“Even the youngest ones get involved and come along on Sunday morning to help with the clearing up and that sort of thing.”

The bonfire, which towered up to an impressive height visible from the very edges of the park, was constructed by a group of older scouts called the network — aged between 18 and 25. They were on hand hours before the crowds flocked to the park to enjoy the product of their efforts.

Nick explained that the sense of achievement after the event was all the more rewarding because it was the young men and women of the scouting movement who had made it all happen.

“Tonight we have over 150 volunteers here, it goes up to well over 200 people over the course of the weekend.”

The money raised on the gates and at the concessions stands is put back into the local community, divided between Scout groups in and around Swindon and this year’s chosen charity — STEP.

As the sun came up on Sunday, teams of volunteers were out in force picking up spent fireworks and leaving the park tidy for the public to enjoy.

But there will be no rest for Nick and his team — planning is already under way for November 2018.