THE organisers of a new fundraising fireworks display on Thirsk Racecourse are planning to expand the event after attracting thousands of visitors.

Organisers of the Thirsk Rotary Club display, which aimed to provide a social event for the town's residents and raise funds for Herriot Hospice Homecare, said they had been thrilled the change of venue from Millgate car park to the racetrack had helped attract around 3,500 people.

They said they had received a lot of positive feedback about event, which featured performances by Butterfly Dance Studio, Thirsk-based band Citizen Smith and Tim McKay.

The club's chairman, Malcolm Sollitt, said as the event had involved numerous firms, it remained unclear how much had been raised for the charity.

He said: "The family enclosure was jam-packed and that takes around 2,000 people, while there were large crowds down by the racecourse.

"It was a really good response from the public, with £1,500 of tickets sold in advance, so they made the event what it was.

"We want to make it an event that Thirsk residents put in their diary and look forward to."

He said the club hoped to introduce more catering outlets for next year's event, as lengthy queues had developed, alongside more car park lighting, extra entertainment and children's rides.