A fireworks finale to the first ever 'Spring into Morecambe' event pulled a big crowd to the Promenade.
The fireworks and laser show on Saturday night was a big hit with families who packed into the area near the Stone Jetty and the Midland to watch the impressive display over the Bay.
There were also plenty of people lining other parts of the Promenade for a good vantage point to see the fireworks.
Morecambe DJ Gareth James provided music and announcements at the event, which was organised by Morecambe Town Council.
Beyond Radio attended the fireworks display on Saturday night and spoke to several people, all of whom said they very much enjoyed it.
We also asked followers of our Facebook page what they thought of the event.
Donna Robinson said: "We went and loved it - not just the fireworks but a really good atmosphere. Fantastic, well done to all involved."
JimJam Hutchinson said: "Best display in a long long time."
And David Kitchen said: "Great fireworks."
There was some criticism, however, of the lack of advance advertising of 'Spring into Morecambe'.
Steve Price said: "It looked good, but how well was it advertised?
"This is the first I'd known about it."
Irene Wilson said: "Not advertised enough, missed it, very sad!"
'Spring into Morecambe' also included an artisan market and street entertainment in and around the Euston Road precinct in the town centre earlier in the day.
This part of the event also came in for some criticism.
Tracyann Gallacher said: "The artisan market was absolutely rubbish. Disappointing!"
Wayne Bolton said: "What a waste of money. The fireworks show was brilliant but the street market and street performers?"
There were also complaints about the timing of the fireworks display and how it might affect pets and Bay wildlife.
"Absolutely ridiculous...totally wrong time for nature/animals - all types breeding and birthing - fireworks a guaranteed destroyer," said Rosemary Gray.
Luke Trevaskis, proper officer for Morecambe Town Council, explained why March was chosen for the fireworks display.
Speaking at a town council meeting on Thursday, Mr Trevaskis said the event had been paid for by the government's Welcome Back Fund, designed to help attract people back into town centres following the Covid pandemic, and the money needed to be used by the end of March.
"The fireworks event was due to take place over the Christmas period but due to Covid, we had to delay," he said.
"We could have lost the funding if we'd pushed it back."
Mr Trevaskis also said the town council was planning "half a dozen" of its own festivals and events in 2022.
Meanwhile, the council has released an evaluation report into its first event of the year, the 'Morecambe Dino-Shore-Us Weekend'.
The dinosaur-themed family event was held on February 12 at Morecambe Town Hall, and on February 13 on Euston Road and in the West End.
The report said the Dino-Shore-Us event attracted around 3,000 people and "despite heavy rain was an overall success".
A survey conducted by the town council showed the event had a 98 per cent 'Happy or Not' satisfaction rate and all but one of the local businesses in the town centre surveyed, said they had an increase in business.
A total of just over £21,000 from the Welcome Back Fund helped to pay for the event, covering the dinosaur package, radio promotion, printing of posters and leaflets, security and first aid. The town council paid for the event photographer and videographer.
The report said: "The budget approved under the Welcome Back funding was initially £20,000. However negotiations with the contractor Bigfoot Events secured £24,000 of production services for the budget figure of £20,000 securing a £4,000 discount."
The town council decided to put on its own events in 2022 after a survey of Morecambe town centre businesses asked for more entertainment in the town centre.
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