Flashes and bangs filled the night sky as thousands gathered to witness the return of the famous Alexandra Palace fireworks display.

It was Ally Pally’s first display in five years and more than 28,000 people attended the sold-out event, touted as the "number one" display in the capital.

Antoni Rogowski, 24, of Kennington, south London, was one of many who had come from across the city to see the show on Saturday, November 2.

He said: “The fireworks were really good. It was definitely one of the best fireworks shows I’ve ever seen.

“I think the views of London in the background really helped make it special.

“The whole thing seems to be really well organised, it’s very family friendly and there's lots for everyone to do.”

The event included a German beer festival, a family funfair, a street food village and ice-skating sessions.

Seven-year-old Jamie Odell, from Islington, was at the show with his mother Susie.

He said: “I like all the fireworks because they were colourful but I think the purple ones were my favourite.

“I went on the rides before and they were really fun also.”

The fireworks display was stopped four years ago because Haringey Borough Council could not justify spending £100,000 on it, according to Mayor of Haringey Councillor Sheila Peacock.

She said: “The council was facing serious cuts and people were losing their jobs so unfortunately this was one of the things we felt we need to cut.”

The show returned this year after Duncan Wilson, the chief executive of Alexandra Park, was able to find a sponsor to pay for the event.

Cllr Peacock added: “This event is really for the community because it’s stuff like this that brings people together.

“I think it’s brilliant and it I’m really pleased that they found a way to bring the show back.”

Matt Cooke, the chairman of the Alexandra Palace Trust, said it was fantastic the fireworks display had returned to the Palace.

He said: “The reaction of the crowd has been amazing and this event is part of the story of the People’s Palace and I hope it continues.”