WET and wild weather didn't stop Guy Fawkes night going off with a bang this week as huge bonfires and spectacular firework displays across the Fylde Coast drew record numbers of cold yet cheery on-lookers.

The dismal night-skies were set ablaze with flashes and bursts of colour as hundreds of fireworks were launched and fires successfully lit -- despite the torrential downpours and gale-force winds.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach held a truly breath-taking and free event on Sunday evening (Nov 4) entitled Fireworks Frenzy. Thousands of people swamped South Promenade to witness a flamboyant show of fireworks set to James Bond movie theme tunes played by the Great Northern Symphony Orchestra.

The orchestra was also joined by Rock FM, stiltwalkers, fire-eaters and a whole host of street entertainers.

November 5 was dominated by two very successful bonfires -- Lytham's annual Round Table event at Fylde Rugby Club and Poulton Rotary Club's 17th annual bonfire and firework display.

The Rotary Club managed to pull off an extremely successful evening drawing record numbers of people to the event on Cottam Hall Fields -- between 4,500 and 5,500 -- despite having to re-build the bonfire at short notice after vandals prematurely set it alight.

Lionel Vinyl was also on hand with The Wave 96.5FM's roadshow to keep the crowd's spirits high and dry amid the non-stop rain.

Past president of the Rotary Club Malcolm McCulloch said: "It went off extremely well and I am sure we have raised a record-breaking amount of money for our three principal charities, which are Brian House Children's Hospice, Trinity Hospice, British Heart Foundation Research and the Air Ambulance Service."

The Round Table was raising funds for Blackpool Victoria Hospital's Macmillan Windmill Appeal. Ways and means chairman of Lytham Round Table Mark Smith said: "We were very pleased with the whole event. Attendance was up on last year and we should have about £7,000 to donate to Macmillan.

"We would like to thank the many thousands who came and also the police and St John's Ambulance for ensuring a problem free evening."

A Lancashire Fire and Rescue spokesman said they were busier than last year due to the slightly drier weather and the increase in malicious fires, but there were no fatal blazes or serious incidents.