A Bournemouth tourism chief has pledged that the Friday night fireworks displays will continue, despite this summer's events being spoiled by antisocial behaviour.

Mounted police, dog handlers and uniformed reinforcements were drafted in after violence flared at the Pier Approach following the first fireworks display.

Several arrests were made and three people charged with public order offences.

Ten people were arrested when trouble broke out after the second family event.

Mobile phones were confiscated and six arrests were made on the third fireworks night. The final display on Friday passed off peacefully.

The borough's head of tourism Mark Smith told the Daily Echo: "The fireworks are a long-standing family favourite which has been running for over 10 years, attracting up to 50,000 spectators each night.

"They will continue to be staged in the resort as part of our summer season of events."

He added: "Unfortunately there have been numbers of unsupervised youths loitering long after the displays have finished and family spectators have returned home.

"It is this minority who have acted in an irresponsible and antisocial way and it will not be tolerated.

"The police have acted swiftly and decisively, when necessary, and we have been very pleased with their approach.

"We aim to ensure Bournemouth remains a safe town both day and night."

Following violent confrontations between rival gangs at the Pier Approach, concerned town traders had called for the fireworks to be switched to a different night.