GRATEFUL residents are dipping into their pockets to support the Pinkie bonfire in Musselburgh this year.

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

Helped by a group of four friends, he puts on the free event and they cover the cost of the fireworks, which was about £2,500 last year. Wooden pallets and scrap wood are used to build the bonfire.

Last year, it was estimated that the bonfire and fireworks display attracted at least 1,000 people from the local area and further afield, who gathered together on a playing field at Pinkiehill Crescent to celebrate Guy Fawkes Night.

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

He plans to do the same this year.

The fireworks are let off in a nearby farm field, which is also tidied afterwards.

Spectators have been keen to make a small donation towards the cost and, since Mark highlighted the 2024 event via social media recently, he has collected about £500 in contributions to ensure it goes with a bang on Tuesday.

People start arriving at 7pm and the bonfire is lit at 7.30pm. The fireworks display will get under way at 8.30pm/9pm.

There will be an ice cream van and chocolate brownies with hot chocolate sauce on sale.