BOURNEMOUTH’S bicentennial year has ended in the way it began – with a bang.

A line-up of musicians and dancers entertained crowds in the Square before a fireworks finale lit up the skies in the Lower Gardens.

It was a fitting way to end the town’s 200th birthday celebrations, which opened with a firework display last New Year’s Day.

Video by Sherwin Coelho

Cllr Anne Filer, chairman of the 2010 celebrations, thanked all those who helped organise events to mark the special occasion.

She said: “The year really has been better than any of us expected. We wanted to make it really special, but because of the financial constraints, we couldn’t do some of the grandiose things we would have wanted. Instead it turned out to be much more community-based and I think it has been better for it.

“We’ve had more than 200 events to mark 200 years, which is great.”