THE smell of gunpowder was in the air as about 8,000 revellers enjoyed Worcester's biggest Bonfire Night event on Saturday.

People poured through the Pitchcroft gates to see £4,500 worth of fireworks light up the sky and keep warm by the event's biggest ever bonfire, lit by city Mayor, Councillor Aubrey Tarbuck.

All of the lucky finalists who entered the Worcester News Make a Guy Competition saw their hard work go up in smoke as their creations sat on top of the blaze.

Shane Ash, aged 13, of Christopher Whitehead Language College, won the Age 11 And Over category for making his Guy and four-year-old Meg Archdale-Evans and her brother Jamie, two, of Sunnyside School, celebrated winning the Under 11s category.

Both winners received a free family ticket to the event, a £50 book voucher and £400 of vouchers for their school.

Meg and Jamie's mum, Indi, said: "They had so much fun making him and did everything themselves apart from the cutting and sewing."

Bonfire organiser and chairman of Worcester's Round Table, Steve Appleton, said all the entries were of a high standard and that the event went with a bang.

"We were thrilled with the turnout and success of the night, particularly as it is the 400th anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot. It was the biggest fire we have ever had and it took 20 lorry-loads of material to build." Visitors also helped raise about £15,000 for the Worcester News Make A Difference Campaign.

"The money collected will go back into Worcester in some way," added Mr Appleton.

l Gates had to be shut at the racecourse at around 7.30pm when police were called to deal with a disturbance. Later, officers and a police helicopter were out in force after a fight broke out at the event.