THOUSANDS of people turned out to watch a fireworks display hosted by York's Asda supermarket.

The display, at the Monks Cross store, attracted large crowds - but some families were left disappointed, saying that the display had lasted for less than 15 minutes.

Asda has pointed out the display was free - and said there was "fantastic feedback" from the crowd which they estimated to number 10,000.

"I think it has been a bit of a waste of time," said Jeremy Hyland, of Haxby Road, who had taken his son, Joe, along to watch.

"I haven't got a car, so we've had to come up here by public transport.

"To only get a few minutes of fireworks is very disappointing."

Huntington family Damian Clark, Donna Turpin and young son Callum were also frustrated.

"It stopped just as it was getting going. I know fireworks are expensive, and this was a free display, but it's not as though Asda are skint is it?"

But Asda events manager Wendy Neale said the display went on for more than 15 minutes.

She said: "Normally they do let them off one or two at a time, but it was

co-ordinated so there might have been a few let off at the same time. As far as we are concerned the event was a success. People were queuing to get in to the fun fair, over 10,000 were there and we have raised over £1,000 for charity."

The event raised money for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service's Get Covered campaign, which aims to equip the homes of elderly and low-income families with life-saving smoke alarms.

* If you're planning a fireworks event anywhere in the Evening Press patch, we'd like to hear from you. Details can be phoned through to Rachel Lacy on 01904 653051 (fax 01904 612853) or emailed to whatson@ycp.co.uk

Updated: 11:15 Tuesday, October 30, 2001