The owners of a historic pier have hailed the success of a UK first.
Fireworks and live music attracted hundreds of people to enjoy a bank holiday weekend bonanza.
With the south beach, promenade and Claremont Pier in Lowestoft packed, two fireworks displays and live performances saw hundreds of people flock to town.
Owners of the famous Lowestoft landmark teamed up with Flash Fx "to bring a UK first to Claremont Pier" on Friday evening (August 23).
The bank holiday fireworks bonanza featured "a special daytime display at 7pm" along with a "pioneering Wildlife Considered Display at 9pm" - with live music from String Fellas Live held in between at BAR 20 & Rooftop Terrace.
With the displays used at the Olympic opening ceremony this year for the first time ever, Flash Fx brought the fireworks to Lowestoft in what was "a first in East Anglia, and a UK first."
As both displays were "equally suited to all ages", the event was staged "as a thank you to the customers who have supported the Pier this summer" - with donations accepted on the night to help the ongoing campaign to re-deck the whole 60-metre stretch of the pier.
Speaking afterwards, Ben Llewellyn, director of Claremont Pier, thanked everyone for attending - as the prom, pier and beach was busy for both displays, and food businesses and bars in Kirkley reportedly did well too.
Hailing the success of the "wonderful displays", Mr Llewellyn said: "Wow - what a crowd.
"What a night it was, and what a tremendous response - we never in our wildest dreams expected so many people to come down.
"We've spoken to lots of people to get their responses (on the night) and everyone seems happy with it.
"I think at one point we even brought the roads to a standstill.
"It all went well - both displays - and we were really happy with how it all went.
"I am hoping everyone else enjoyed it.
"It has been really busy, we were run off our feet and all the businesses and outlets have done well.
"We're thrilled with how the evening has gone.
"It is a fantastic thing for the community, who support us not just in the summer but the winter as well - so this is about giving something back and it feels brilliant."
Hopes are now high that the displays could become a regular event and be expanded in the future.
Mr Llewellyn added: "We'd love to see everyone again in the near future for similar displays - so the wheels are in motion to arrange another fireworks bonanza.
"We have got something potentially in the pipeline for another one but we will have to speak to the council about it.
"We've plans to add more stalls, entertainment, maybe a couple of fairground rides - something like that - to the front, to add to it and make it even better.
"But obviously that is something we will have to discuss with the council and see what they say."
With the vast numbers of people attending on the night being "so large" it meant that there were not enough collection tins out to help raise further money for the rebuild of the pier.
With this in mind, the pier owners have now launched a new Just Giving donations page - with all proceeds going to the rebuild of the pier.
You can donate and pledge support via its website
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/Claremontpier
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