A FREE fireworks display will be held once again for crowds on the Newcastle Quayside at midnight on New Year’s Eve.

The celebrations are designed to welcome 2018 to Tyneside with a bang, using the spectacular backdrop of the seven bridges across the River Tyne.

They are being organised by the Newcastle Gateshead Initiative and NE1.

Stephen Patterson, director of communications at NE1, said: “The Quayside provides a striking backdrop for the display and delivers an amazing experience for the thousands of visitors that flock to the Quayside to welcome in the New Year.

“It’s a much loved event in the city’s annual event calendar and delivers a significant boost for businesses on both sides of the river.”

The display will be delivered by events company Allan Hillary Events and Reaction Fireworks and is made possible thanks to the support of local quayside businesses.

Vikki Leaney, senior festival and events manager at NewcastleGateshead, said: “We know that for many, this is the highlight of our New Year’s Eve Winter Festival celebrations and last year saw over 10,000 people in attendance for the event.”

The midnight celebrations follow East of the Sun, West of the Moon, a family event on Newcastle’s Town Moor from 4pm-6pm.