SIX months of celebrations marking the 750th anniversary of the Bedale market charter ended in spectacular style on Saturday with a firework display thought to have been the biggest and best ever seen in the town.

Fireworks worth £7,000 were expended on the full-blooded finale organised in Bedale Hall park by the community bonfire committee, with extra financial help this year from the Bedale 750 group and the town council. Other donations came from Aiskew Parish Council and local sponsors.

This year's fireworks, set to classical music, were electronically fired with professional help and a highlight was a special set piece, mounted on posts, which spelled out "Bedale 750" in letters 3ft high.

An estimated 6,000 people crowded into the park for the event, opened by Coun John Weighell, the mayor and chairman of Bedale 750, and Sir Henry Beresford-Peirse, who lit the bonfire.

Coun John Noone, deputy mayor and chairman of the community bonfire committee, said the event had been so successful financially that it might be possible to mount a display on a similar scale next year.

Coun Noone, who was instrumental in launching the annual community bonfire with the scout and guide group 14 years ago, added: "Saturday was better than we ever imagined it would be. It was a tremendous display and we have never seen so many people on the park."