Fireworks show goes out with a bang at college

THE hunt is on to find a new location for Exeter's premier firework display after it went out with a bang at its soon to be demolished home.

Developers held up bringing the bulldozers in to the former St Loye's College site on Topsham Road so the event could be held there for the last time.

Money raised by organisers the Round Table helps to pay for the charity's £13,000 donations to worthy causes every year and cash was again given to St Loye's in 2008, even though staff have moved to the city centre.

Record crowds went to last night's display, with organisers hoping for 7,500 instead of the usual 5,500 after bumper advance ticket sales. Organisers were keen to make the display the best ever, spending £6,000 on fireworks.

Andrew Merrick, chair of Exeter Round Table, said: "We will now start having to think about next year but it will be hard to find anything as suitable as St Loye's. It's enclosed and we can offer parking.

"We are very grateful to the developers for letting us use St Loye's one last time."

Many families went to the show for the first time because of its reputation as being the best around.

Rebecca Weaver and daughter Mya, eight, were hoping it would rival displays in Torquay, from where they have moved.

"We like big fireworks and are excited to come to this display," said Rebecca, of Mount Pleasant.

Kirstie Sidebotham, son George, from Lympstone, and partner Malcolm Rhodes, from St Leonard's, decided to see the fireworks instead of the flaming tar barrels at Ottery St Mary.

"We just thought it would be good fun here," Kirstie said.

Mark and Louise Tasker and son Charlie, six, from Redhills, were first timers at St Loye's.

"We used to go to the County Ground and now we are just hoping they find a good site for next year," Mark said.