A County Durham firework display has been slammed after local residents called it 'abysmal' and 'atrocious' after it lasted just a matter of minutes.

With numerous firework-related events happening on Saturday (November 5) evening in the region, the annual Peterlee Fireworks was billed to be a programme of events, including fun fair rides, a mini disco, and the main fireworks. 

Despite the schedule of events, including numerous children's activities going ahead between 4pm and 6pm, it was the fireworks themselves that got numerous Peterlee residents scratching their heads.  

Scheduled to start at 6.30pm, some people who attended are claiming that the Catherine wheels, roman candles, and various other fireworks lasted 'less than ten minutes'.

The free event, which took place on Helford Road Playing Fields, was attended by hundreds of people - but it seems that the large majority of people came away disappointed. 

Moments after the fireworks packed up, several disgruntled members of the public who attended took to social media to term the display 'embarrassing'.  

Taking to social media, one user wrote: "Whoever is responsible for Peterlee's fireworks display this year, hang your heads. Shameful," while another claimed that: "People were literally booing".

However, not everyone disliked the display, with some defending the council and the fact that it was a free event. 

One user said: "It was a free event - some people ask too much," while one person believes that "something went wrong and they couldn't relight it".

Peterlee Town Council are yet to release a statement about the firework display.

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