Huge crowds enjoy spooktacular night in the Play Close

Fireworks lit up the evening sky and children dressed in a gruesome range of Hallowe’en costumes gave plenty of frights on the night.

The occasion was the annual Melton Mowbray Town Estate Hallowe’en and Bonfire Party and, thankfully, the rain stayed away to enable everything to go off as planned.

Senior Town Warden, Tim Webster, judged a fancy dress competition involving youngsters and a growing number of adults.

The top three included eight-year-old, Maisie, dressed as a striking Gothic bride, Rose, also aged eight, in her Roman zombie costume, and two-year-old Stanley, wearing a pumpkin fancy dress.

Hundreds of families enjoyed the evening, which also featured an enormous bonfire, which was lit at the start of the night.

There was an issue with the bonfire in the early stages with two crews of firefighters being called out to bring it under control.

Some parents reported their children were frightened and tearful after having to swiftly move away from the fire.

The event was able to resume, however, with entertainment for all ages, including fairground rides, stalls and games.

There were lots of woops and cheers from onlookers when the fireworks were set off to round off a special night in some style.

A number of local businesses supported the event, including S&J Haulage, Melton Building Supplies, with many contributing in various ways.

Organisers were also indebted to the efforts of members of Melton Mowbray Lions Club who, as always, supported the event by collecting the entrance fees at the various gates in Play Close.