A hot town in time for great guys (From Bridport and Lyme Regis News)

A hot town in time for great guys

BONFIRE Night in Lyme Regis has been hailed a booming success with more than 6,000 people watching the celebrations on Saturday.

Tina, Laura and Callum Taylor point to their winning guy on the Lyme Regis bonfire

A torchlight procession along the Marine Parade was led by the town mayor, Sally Holman, and mayoress, Jane Whittington, whose torches had been lit by one-time Likely Lad Rodney Bewes, who was appearing at the Marine Theatre that evening.

Blackdown Samba, on their first visit to Lyme for some years, provided the music to accompany the torchbearers and entertained the crowds later.

A spectacular firework display from Victoria Pier was followed by the lighting of the bonfire, which this year featured three guys, made by local families in the Guy Fawkes competition held in the afternoon.

Also feeding the flames were giant sculptures made by young people of Lyme Youth Arts (LYA) during the ArtsFest.

Fireworks light up the night sky over the Cobb at Lyme Regis

LYA co-ordinator Fran Williams said: "We burnt the sculptures on Saturday, so this brings the September in the Shelters project to a close.

"It was a fitting end for them as the flames licked up around - they looked magnificent set against the backdrop of the firework display and they were also joined by some traditional guys and girls."

The bonfire on the beach was lit by the mayor and mayoress, and Josh Crocker, one of the students who had helped to make the sculptures.

Teresa Evemy, chairman of event organisers, the Lyme Regis Regatta and Carnival Committee, said: "It was a delightful evening for all the family. We were delighted with how smoothly the evening went. Families from many places outside of Lyme came for the evening making Lyme Regis the place to be on Bonfire Night."

One visitor said: "Lyme Regis sure knows how to put on a good show. You must be proud to live in such a great town."