HUNDREDS of spectators attended Colchester's King Cole Kitten firework display which was opened by Olympian boxer Lewis Richardson.

The firework display, which also included a parade of the Guy Fawkes effigy from the Castle Park bandstand, is the 53rd event by the King Coel’s Kittens. 

The King Coel's Kittens is a Colchester-based group formed in 1960 by journalist Bill Tucker, with a handful of young people coming together to discuss how to raise money to support residents with special needs.

Colour - An explosion of red from the fireworksColour - An explosion of red from the fireworks (Image: Steve Brading) The group then organised the first fireworks night in 1970 and last year was the first time the event went ahead without a bonfire due to safety regulations and it will be the same for 2024. 

Olympic boxer Lewis Richardson - who won a bronze medal in Paris 2024 - started the fireworks by pushing the plunger alongside compare Michael J Fitch.

Olympian -  Olympic boxer Lewis Richardson with compare Michael J Fitch (Image: Steve Brading) Autumn - Spectators sitting on an bench with autumn leaves surrounding themAutumn - Spectators sitting on an bench with autumn leaves surrounding them (Image: Steve Brading)