BLACKBURN'S biggest bonfire is back with a bang -- after a massive campaign to save it.

Organisers revealed today that the Witton Park spectacular raised a record £5,750 for charity.

The success has lit the blue touch-paper for future events after apathy last year threatened the town's largest annual Guy Fawkes event.

Organisers Blackburn Rotaract pleaded for a record turnout and the Lancashire Evening Telegraph launched a successful campaign.

President Keith Sowerbutts said: "We have raised £5,750 for charity, which beats the previous best by more than £1,000. We want to thank the sponsors and the Lancashire Evening Telegraph. Without them this wouldn't have been possible."

Organisers feared the fire would have to be cancelled when only £1,600 was raised last year. In 1999 £4,000 went into the coffers. But as the bonfire blazed and a huge firework display lit the night sky revellers dug deep to boost this year's chosen charity THOMAS -- Those On The Margins Of Society -- which helps drug addicts and the homeless from its base in St Anne's House in France Street, Blackburn. An estimated 2,000 people turned up to see the fire on Saturday November 3.

Following the Telegraph appeal two major new sponsors, Brookhouse Holdings plc and Forbes Solicitors, pledged money. And smaller sponsors helped too as Blackburn's pubs, bars and restaurants organised collections.

The full cost of staging the event, including the firework display, was £6,000. A £1,000 grant from Blackburn with Darwen Council left the organisers to raise £5,000 before they could send money to THOMAS.