Bonfire Night spectacular - crowds get a rocket

The Neighbours star, soon to be appearing in pantomime Peter Pan at Worthing's Pavilion Theatre, lit the blue touchpaper to send a rocket soaring above Fitzalan Road and signal the start of one of the best Bonfire Nights in Littlehampton for years.

And it would have taken just a little bit more neighbourliness and generosity from the big crowds watching to set a new street collection record for the event.

The 8,041 total was just 97 short of the record collected in 2004, which was is still the highest collected at bonfire celebrations anywhere in Sussex.

Although the mountain of coins and notes added up to 535 more than last year, organisers were disappointed not to have hit a new high.

Said Littlehampton Bonfire Society secretary Richard Cooper: "After putting on a show like that, it makes you wonder what more we have to do to get people to put more money in.

"A lot of people were putting in notes this year, but there was a lot of copper, too, and still many people putting in absolutely nothing. All we ask is a minimum of 1 per person, which is not much to ask for the procession, fireworks and bonfire.

"It's a good result . . . but frankly, should have been better."

*See this week's Gazette for the full report and four pages of pictures