THE chairman of the committee that organises the annual community bonfire and fireworks display in Bedale is stepping down, having been involved in the event since it started 20 years ago.

Fireworks worth almost £10,000 were fired to classical music in Bedale Hall park at the weekend, continuing a pattern established in 2001 at the end of Bedale 750, a six-month celebration of the granting of the market charter in 1251.

However, the bonfire was smaller following an incident in which a 16-year-old suffered serious burns after he ran through the smouldering embers at the end of last year's event.

John Noone, the chairman of the bonfire committee for eight years, said this year's event passed without incident.

He said: "The smaller bonfire worked very well, and the fireworks display was brilliant. It was the best we have had in 20 years. We must have topped the attendance figure for Bedale 750, which I never thought we would do. The place was wall-to-wall with people. I have never known anything like it."

Mr Noone, a Bedale businessman, said: "It was a good one to finish on. The event is on a good financial footing. I have had some really fantastic people working with me and the organisation has been fairly easy. I do not see why it should not go from strength to strength.

"I think I have done my bit now, and I have so much on my plate."

Mr Noone started the event with funding including £500 from an annual tug-of-war contest between two pubs over Bedale Beck, in 1987 when he was on the fundraising committee of Bedale Scouts and Guides.