BLACKPOOL'S night sky was ablaze with colour on Sunday (September 19) as the first part the World Firework Championships 1999 blasted off.

But hold on to your sparklers - there's more to come.

Every Sunday evening until October 10, teams from Taiwan, China and Italy will be lighting the touchpaper to compete for the title, giving residents and visitors of Blackpool a real pyrotechnic treat.

And the poor weather didn't put off the huge crowds who watched a spectacular show last Sunday which saw Taiwan's San Tai team synchronise music with fireworks, raining colour on to North Pier.

This Sunday, the Inter-Oriental Fireworks display team from China will be delighting the crowds, with the defending title holders from Italy performing the following Sunday.

Although not competing in the championship, top UK company Kimbolton will provide the finale on October 10, after which the winner will be announced.

The event follows the success of last year's contest and Leisure Parcs and Blackpool Borough Council have once again teamed up to stage the spectacle.

Council leader Ivan Taylor said: "We are very pleased to bring back this terrific event and I am sure it will again thrill and entertain thousands of visitors and residents of Blackpool."

Leisure Parcs managing director Marc Etches agreed: "It really is an incredible display of imagination and talent from around the world and provides everyone with an opportunity to see fireworks as they have never seen them before."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.