THIS year's Pinkie bonfire and fireworks display has been described as "the best so far" by its organiser. 

Held in the Pinkie area of Musselburgh, thousands of people came out on Tuesday evening to enjoy the 40-minute firework display and spectacular bonfire. 

The event was organised by dad-of-three and Pinkie resident Mark Dougal, who told the Courier that he intends to  hold the event again next year.

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He took the opportunity to thank volunteers who helped him organise the event and also with raising more than £850 for this year's fireworks after he shelled out £2,500 for the 2023 display. 

Mark told the Courier: "It was amazing, fantastic and unbelievable that between 2,000 and 3,000 people turned up and there was no trouble at all, it couldn't have gone any better.

"I do the event because I love doing it, it was tremendous to see so many people, not just in Pinkie appear but from surrounding areas of Musselburgh as well. It has to be the biggest and best year so far.

"Emergency services turned up to asses the bonfire and on the evening before it started, and I want to thank them for reassuring people who came along. I want to thank the people of Pinkie and also the people who fundraised just over £850 for the fireworks." 

Musselburgh councillor Andy Forrest, depute provost of East Lothian, was among those attending. 

He told the Courier: "It was a fantastic display.

"For me, the amount of community involvement and communications by organisers was fantastic.

"It clearly was a professional display of fireworks and the security for the event was co-ordinated perfectly, as when the bonfire got smaller the crowd were allowed to get closer. 

"In the past, youths have gotten a bad reputations at certain events during Bonfire Night. But last night, all behaviour I saw was exemplary."

Meanwhile, Chief Inspector Ben Leathes, Police Scotland's local area commander for East Lothian, said that there were no major incidents in the county on Bonfire Night; however, Lothian Buses said that some services were diverted in Musselburgh due to anti-social behaviour.