Slideshow: Lynn's Fawkes in The Walks

Thousands craned their neck to the skies above King's Lynn this evening as fireworks in the town's blue and gold colours streamed through the sky and the air filled with the smell of gunpowder.

Organisers hailed the event a success as far bigger crowds than expected teemed through the town for the first public bonfire night event to be held in the town's newly refurbished Walks.

Police estimated up to 20,000 people had flocked to the town's first Fawkes in the Walks.

“This is really great. It's bringing families together”, said Sonya Bailey, from Walpole St Peter, whose seven-year-old son Jack won the fancy dress competition for his firework outfit.

She added they were particularly pleased they had come to the public event as they had stopped doing their own fireworks at home after Jack had been burnt.

Lisa Mendham, 17, from King's Lynn, was at the display with her friends. “This is better than lighting fireworks at home because everybody is together here”, she said.

The council organised the event with the King's Lynn Lions - who through setting up rides and stalls were raising money for local charities.

Money to refurbish The Walks came from a £3.5m Heritage Lottery Grant and part of the plan was to organise events to encourage more people in the town to enjoy the space.

Elizabeth Nockolds, cabinet member for sports arts and open spaces at West Norfolk council, said: “I think it's fantastic. This is a great recreation ground and having this event here is perfect really. There are more people here than we ever anticipated.”

She added: “It will also deter people from having accidents as they light fireworks at home.”

Lions president Mike Thompson, said: “It's just great to get everybody together.”

Sally Hunter, who brought her four-year-old son Charlie to the display, said: “It is really good. I think so many people have turned out because it is free.

“We've done fireworks at home before, but you have to spend so much money for them to be decent.”