Firefighters across Shropshire and Mid Wales dealt with dozens of small fires set by vandals yesterday during one of their busiest nights of the year.

But most people had a safe and enjoyable night at specially-organised events held across the county.

Firefighters were called to four fires in the Harlescott area between about 7.20pm and midnight.

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Steve Jones, of Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “It was Bonfire Night so obviously busy.”

In Telford, troublespots included Woodside where fire crews were called to at least five fires between 5.30pm and 9.30pm and Leegomery, where they recorded four blazes.

Small fires made up from wood and rubbish were the main cause of problems along with bonfires that had been left unattended.

Guy Williams, the fire service watch manager at Telford’s Tweedale station said: “During the evening crews from Tweedale attended about 10 separate incidents altogether.

“They were mainly all nuisance fires, it seems bonfire night can be an excuse for people to fly tip and then set it alight.”

But most people spent the night enjoying charity events and community-organised bonfire and firework extravaganzas, such as the one arranged by the Newport Rugby Club, where our pictures were taken.

Hundreds of people attended a free event at Longden village hall, near Shrewsbury, which included a 30-minute firework display.

In Welshpool, the event at the Maesydre field was one of the most successful ever, with a huge bonfire and twice as many fireworks as last year, making it one of the most successful ever.

Improvement works taking place at the Mere in Ellesmere failed to deter the hundreds who walked to the spectacular display at the Castle Fields.

Oswestry’s bonfire spectacular, organised by the Treble Niners, a charity group made of retained and retired firefighters, takes place on Saturday at 7pm.

Tenbury Wells Young Farmers club hosted a bonfire and barbecue at the Fox Inn, at Hanley Broadheath, near Tenbury Wells, while villagers in Bromfield, near Ludlow, are celebrating tonight at about 7pm.