THOUSANDS of spectators flocked to a village’s first public firework display in years.

More than 4,000 people poured into the field off Ongar Road, Abridge, on Saturday for the display.

John Filby, who helped at the event, said: “It was absolutely brilliant. We were only expecting 1,800 to 2,000 people.

“The bottom of the field is flooded now, so if it had been like that on Saturday night, I don’t know what we would have done.”

Profits from the display will go towards next year’s Christmas light display in the village.