From the creepy zombie trail to the nostalgic carnival atmosphere, bonfire night was celebrated in Christchurch Park on Saturday.

“There was great family entertainment and the fireworks display was up there with the best,” said mum-of-four Nicola Bradford, 42, of Belstead Road.

She has attended the annual spectacle for the last 15 years with her family, including husband Roy, 55, and sons Shaun, 26, and Craig, 24, on Saturday night.

“We thought the fireworks were excellent and had a good combination,” she added.

“They’ve had different themes over the years, such as Michael Jackson and James Bond, but we really enjoyed the special Halloween theme.”

Visitors ascending the gradual climb from the Christchurch Mansion entrance had to dodge various members of the living dead before reaching the main site, including one particularly disturbing zombie bride clutching a bunch of forgotten flowers.

A monster hiding in a grave periodically rose to scare others.

“The zombies were pretty scary,” remarked dad Craig Cattell, of Hadleigh. The 36-year-old was visiting for the first time with wife Adriana and son Fonzi, three.

“There is a lot of variety for entertainment here. I think everyone is getting value for money,” he added.

Attractions included: a Disney Dome, fun house, haunted house, stalls to win prizes such as a ‘ball in the churn’ and various dart board challenges, bucking bronco, rock climbing wall, traditional teacups, dodgems and other thrill-seeking theme park rides.

On the live entertainment stage, DJ Rave Digger and MC Bone Shaker joined Just Jay Dance and the Emma Dodd School of Performing Arts. Performances ranged from The Time Warp from The Rocky Horror Show to Gangum Style by Psy.

Georgia Oldfield, 23, of Claydon, said: “The fireworks night seems to get better each year. It is a traditional night out and there is something for everyone.”