A SEA of light made Bournemouth seafront sparkle as hundreds remembered lost loved ones tonight.

More than 600 people flocked to Pier Approach clutching tea lights and respected a minute’s silence before the skies were lit up with a spectacular firework display.

Bournemouth Hospital Charity and Macmillan Caring Locally teamed up to organise the Light up the Prom event to raise funds for the two causes – with each light sold raising £5.

Neal Williams, trust secretary of Macmillan Caring Locally, said he was delighted with the turnout and hopes it will become an annual tradition.

“It is great to see so many people here – visually it has been stunning,” he added. “It has been a good opportunity for people to just take a couple of minutes and celebrate the life of a loved one.”

Joanna Talbott, of Highcliffe, was among those holding a light alongside her children Jacob, seven, and Jack, three.

“I am here for my dad,” said Joanna. “I think this was a wonderful idea as Jack and Jacob never had an opportunity to know their grandfather. It teaches kids at a young age that there is time to stop, to take a minute out from everything and remember people we love.”

A single firework signalled the beginning of a poignant one minute’s silence at 8pm which left the seafront eerily quiet.

Nine-year-old Joshua Haskell from Kinson, who attended with a large group of friends and family, said: “It has been quite tearful and emotional.”