A GROUP of friends are looking forward to ensuring the Pinkie bonfire at Musselburgh goes off with a bang in the future as it continues to grow in popularity.

It is estimated that the successful event on Sunday attracted about 1,000 people from the local area and further afield who gathered together to celebrate Guy Fawkes Night.

A fireworks display was also enjoyed for about half an hour after the bonfire was lit on a playing field at Pinkiehill Crescent.

For the past few years, dad-of-three and Pinkie resident Mark Dougal, 31, has organised the bonfire and fireworks display with a group of friends after resurrecting what was a tradition in the Pinkie area many years ago.

The group collects wood from local businesses including pallets from Strawberry Corner Garden Centre to build the bonfire, helped by local teenagers.

“They chip in and lend a helping hand,” said Mark.

The event is put on free by the kind-hearted group, which covers the cost of just more than £1,000.

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Last year it attracted a “good crowd” after being highlighted on social media and numbers doubled this year, Mark said.

The group is considering setting up a GoFundMe page to raise funds to ensure the event is “bigger and better” in the future and suggested local people might wish to give a small donation towards next year’s event.

“A lot of people have got children who enjoy Guy Fawkes Night and seeing the fireworks,” said Mark who is planning to continue to liaise with East Lothian Council and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service regarding the event in the future.

He added that people of all ages turned out to enjoy the night, which also featured an ice cream van.

Mark worked until midnight and was back on duty the next morning to ensure that the area was tidied up after the event, filling about a dozen bags of rubbish.