SPECTACULAR explosions of colour filled the sky over Oxford as the city's biggest fireworks display went off with a bang - for the 40th year.

More than 15,000 people flocked to the city's South Park to watch more than £8,000 worth of fireworks shoot into the sky, during the 23-minute display, followed by the lighting of a huge bonfire.

It was a double celebration for the organisers, Oxford Round Table, which was also marking its 70th year of fundraising.

The aim was to raise enough money to keep East Oxford-based Helen and Douglas House hospice running for a day.

The event was such a crowd-puller that the display had to be delayed for almost 30 minutes because of the number of people trying to get into the park.

Richard Scott, 17, from Abingdon, said: "The display was spectacular. It's a great social event and gets everyone together."