PIRATES, bonfires, light switch-ons and fireworks; it's been an explosive year at the bay.

In a fitting end-of-year celebration, the organisers of West Bay Days handed out the proceeds from a bumper 2019 at the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony in West Bay.

West Bay Sea Scouts, Bridport Sea Cadets, The West Bay Discovery Centre and the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance were among the various organisations and causes to benefit from the money raised.

West Bay Days organising committee chairman, James Radcliffe, said: “It’s been another bumper fundraising year and we are very proud to put on some of the most loved events on the calendar. Pirate Day in May, when everyone released their inner pirate, West Bay Day in August, in when practically the whole of West Bay is taken over for a great fun day for all the family, Bonfire on the Beach in October, which, as always, featured a spectacular firework display and finally, the lighting up of our beautiful Christmas tree on the green.

"Our committee is an extraordinarily hard-working band of volunteers who work tirelessly to put these events on and we would like to thank some of the many sponsors and extra helpers this year, all of whom helped to make sure we were able to organise and hold free to enter fun days for the general public."

Mr Radcliffe thanked BAM Nuttall, the company which carried out work on the flood defence scheme, for 'very kindly' paying for the fireworks on West Bay Day. He also praised the Spar at West Bay for contributing prizes and paying for the Christmas tree this year.

"We also want to thank Bridport Town Council, which is very generous with lending lots of equipment, such as gazebos for the events. Palmers Brewery, Haddon House, The George and Harbour House all contribute, along with the RNLI, Evans Plant Hire, Townsend Engineering, AJ Supplies, Cains Farm and West Dorset Leisure - all great local companies who lend a hand to help us. The owners of Brit Valley Camp field let us use the field for parking along with Dorset Council, St John’s Church, Harbour News and the Crown Inn all pitch in in some way to help. It really is a community team effort.

"We also wouldn’t have been able to do what we do with volunteers on the day and we would like to single out West Bay Sea Scouts who, this year, have provided lots of willing helpers. We are very pleased to be able to give a larger donation to help the group continue to give training that is aimed at making a young person as much at home on the water as they are on land, teaching them nautical skills and seamanship in a range of craft."

West Bay Days is now asking for local organisations and charities to make themselves known if they wish to become beneficiaries for next year. If you would like to volunteer at one of the events, get in touch before the end of January via WestBayDays FaceBook.

Last week's Christmas switch-on event featured a carol service in St John’s Church with mince pies and mulled wine being served on Harbour Green. The tree lighting was switched on by Harbour House resident Caroline Temple.