THE region's fireworks festivities officially got under way last night, with thousands of people drawn to a dazzling half-hour display which lit up the skies over one North-East town.

The Bishop Auckland event, held at the town's rugby club and organised by Wear Valley District Council, was among the first to be staged in the North-East.

The final touches are being put to firework displays and bonfires set to go off tonight and Monday.

A full round-up of events was printed in Thursday's edition of The Northern Echo, but among the main events planned are:

l Darlington's South Park, where thousands are expected tonight for one of the region's biggest displays. The event kicks off at 6pm, with donations invited towards the Victorian park's restoration fund.

l Durham has three main events, on tonight at the city's rugby club ground in Green Lane from 7pm, tomorrow at the Durham City AFC's ground in Belmont at 6.30pm, and on Monday in the grounds of the police headquarters at Aykley Heads at 7pm. Admission charges apply for all three.

l In Stockton, fireworks on the Riverside at 7.30pm on Monday will follow the town's Christmas lights switch on in the High Street at 6.30pm.

l And in Northallerton, one of North Yorkshire's biggest events will be held on the Applegarth from 6.30pm on Monday. Admission is free, but a collection will be made to fund next year's event