BLACKPOOL'S skies have an international feel thanks to North Pier's firework competition.

The World Firework Championships were given an explosive start by the German team last weekend and will be followed by the Chinese on Sunday (September 20).

The Italians follow on September 27, the Spanish on October 4 and finally the British on October 11.

The German entrants were from the Ernst Rohr GmbH Firework company - reknowned around the world for its huge displays.

They have already won the first and second International Baroque Fireworks Competitions in 1991 and 1992 as well as competitions in Japan, Denmark, Monaco, Sweden and the Netherlands.

Pyrotechnician Anne Thiel, said: "I hope we'll win. I have been with the company for four years and it is now 50-years-old.

"We're quite confident. We had German firework effects which many people in England won't have seen before and they are very different to the likes of the Chinese fireworks."

Event organiser Martin Blore of Leisure Parcs, pictured with Anne and her fellow pyrotechnician JM- rg BrM- utigam, said: "The displays will all be fantastic.

"The competition is another free spectacular to add to the Illuminations.

"And we hope this is just the first World Firework Championship - we want it to become an annual event with more entrants, getting bigger and better each year.

"All of the displays will be to music which will be broadcast on Radio Wave - so if you come down to the Promenade to watch it and can't hear the music, bring a radio and tune in.

"The best place to see the displays is from South Pier, Central Pier or the Promenade between North and Central." The shows start at 7.30pm.

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