AROUND a quarter of a million people attended Swanage’s Regatta & Carnival Week, organisers say.

The huge number of people, in keeping with turnouts in recent years, will have injected millions of pounds into the local tourist economy.

Thousands of people packed out the seafront for the grand finale firework display on Saturday, which traditionally brings the event to a close.

View all our pictures from Swanage Carnival Week in a gallery here

Earlier that day crowds had been wowed by a mountain bike stunt display from Savage Skills, a birds of prey display and the P J Swanage Line Dancers.

Carnival committee secretary Linda Welsh said: “The fireworks display was probably one of the best I’ve ever seen. We had £5,000 worth of fireworks this year, including some aquatic ones. These are fired into the sea, then all of a sudden they break through the surface and explode above the water.

“There isn’t actually many places they can be used, but fortunately they can be used here because they’re fired from a jetty going out to sea.”

Carnival week brought together a host of events at various sites throughout Swanage, with highlights including a daring Red Arrows display, the main procession on opening weekend and live music in the marquee.

Linda explained: “On Saturday for the fireworks you couldn’t see a blade of grass, the place was packed. From where I was standing on the seafront I could hear the gasps of the crowd.

“Hopefully we will exceed last year’s £16,000 raised for charity. It must have been a bumper week for local pubs, hotels, restaurants and takeaways as well. Last weekend the pubs and restaurants were overflowing.

“We’ve also been very fortunate with the weather, having just one day when events had to be postponed.”

Linda said the event would have been impossible to put on if it wasn’t for all the volunteers, local traders, participants taking part in events, police and the local council.

She added: “And, of course, I have to thank everyone who attended; all those people that made the trip and put a pound in one of our buckets.”