The organiser of a charity fireworks display has praised the Swaffham community for coming together and offering their support after signs advertising the event were torn down.

Peter Wing has spent the last few months putting together plans for a fireworks display which will raise money for local causes, including a two year old boy who needs a walking frame to allow him to walk and a man with terminal cancer.

When he began advertising the event he noticed that the signs were mysteriously being pulled down, jeopardising his ability to raise money.

But when word of the vandalism spread over social media Mr Wing says the community responded with overwhelming support.

'The signs going missing actually helped us in some ways,' he said.

'The community has really been getting behind us because of it and we've got loads of people offering to help us and we've been able to put up a lot more signs around the town. Local businesses are letting us use shop windows and others are making donations.'

The fireworks display is planned to raise money for people living in the community, rather than for larger nationally supported causes.

'I set this up this year and if it is successful we'll do it every year. There are a lot of big charities out there and people are raising money for them all the time but we want to target individuals and do something for them,' said Mr Wing.

'This year the money will go towards two year old Harry Smith from Swaffham, he has a condition that means he needs a walking frame to walk. He should be able to run about and enjoy himself and we want to help him do that.

'We are also fund raising for a man in his early 30s, Alistair Scott. He has been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer and has been told he has until April or May next year. We want to help him and his family to have a good Christmas without facing any financial difficulties.

'The rest of the money will go to the Air Ambulance. People all around Norfolk feel strongly about it as a charity and everybody supports it.'

Gates open at Swaffham Raceway at 6pm on November 5 and the display begins at 7.30pm. Entry is £5 for adults and £3 for children.