A NEAR-record crowd was treated to Wellington Rugby Club's annual fireworks spectacular at the Athletic Ground..

The display was staged by Skyburst, winner of the British Fireworks Championship this year.

"It was touch and go with the weather," said the rugby club's secretary Ashley Colman. "We tried to put on the best show we could - and I think we succeeded. It was difficult to estimate the crowd because many young children were allowed in free.

"But it was certainly one of our biggest crowds - if not our biggest. We have to get 800 through the gate to just break even."

There was standing room only in some areas of the ground as the show got off to a punctual start in near perfect weather conditions.

Any profit from this community event - and it will not be much - will go to club funds.