Thousands of people enjoyed Shropshire’s biggest bonfire party as they turned out to watch the sky lit up by colourful fireworks.

Organisers of the bonfire at Donnington in Telford today hailed Saturday’s event as a big success, describing it as a “wonderful night”. The event drew a crowd of about 11,000 people from across the Telford area and beyond who were treated to an evening of fun and fireworks.

And it also proved a good night for the many charity stalls which used the event to raise funds for their good causes.

The event has been run by Alf Mitchell and his family for the past three decades, and has been growing each year.

And his wife Jenny today thanked everyone who has supported the event year after year.

“We had a wonderful night on Saturday – with about 11,000 people turning up,” she said.

“The weather was good, there were no incidents and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.

“We began the event about 30 years ago in a small way. There were organised bonfire events being set up everywhere and so we thought, why don’t we organise one.

“The Donnington bonfire took off and is now the biggest in Shropshire.”

Mrs Mitchell said it was too early to say whether she and her husband would run the event next year.

But she added: “If we don’t then I hope our son will carry on.”

The Donnington bonfire

The ground at Broad Oaks playing fields opened to the public at 5.30pm, with the bonfire being lit at 7pm.

Saturday’s event came after thousands of Shropshire residents braved wet and windy conditions to attend a variety of large scale organised events taking place in Shrewsbury, Telford, Ironbridge, Bridgnorth and at Weston Park near Shifnal earlier this month.

Many of the events were held on November 5, 6 and 7.

More than 5,000 people saw a pyrotechnics display at the agricultural showground, in Berwick Road, Shrewsbury, at one of the big events held earlier this month

Organisers had a big band and other activities to keep the crowds entertained.

Thousands more people visited Weston Park and Blists Hill museum in Ironbridge earlier this month for separate events.

By Sue Austin