ONE of the UK's leading firework extravaganzas will be lighting the skies above Southport seafront with a bang during October and we have five family tickets to give away to Star readers.

The Pleasureland British Musical Fireworks Championships takes place on Friday 8 and Saturday 9 October, when six companies will test their skills and expertise as they synchronise fireworks to music.

Thousands of visitors to the event will be treated to displays of pyrotechnic wizardry as three companies battle it out each night. Those selected were this year drawn from a record 35 throughout the country who applied to take part. This is the first year that firing will take place from the beach.

'Spitfire Pyrotechnics', winners for the last two years, will be back to defend the title, attempting to make it a hat trick by taking home the £3,000 prize money and trophy which are both up for grabs. The Coventry based company will be lighting up Southport beach on the Friday night and will be joined by 'Millennium Pyrotechnics' from Salisbury and Manchester based 'Walk the Plank'.

The Saturday night will see displays from 'Dragon Dynasty' of Bedfordshire, who competed last year together with 'Allstar Fireworks' of Middlesex who finished third in 1999, and newcomers 'Shellscape Pyrotechnics'.

The companies taking part can choose any music they want and will be judged on the variety and impact of the fireworks as well as the way they are synchronised to the music.

Tickets cost £3.50 per person and are available at the gates on both nights, with under 5s going free. Beach parking costs £5. The gates open at 7pm and displays start at 8pm.

For further information visit www.visitsouthport.com or telephone the events hotline on 01704 395511.

To be in with a chance of winning one of the family tickets for Saturday 9 October, which allow entry for four persons, adult or child, and include beach parking, just answer this simple question:

Q: How many firework displays will there be over the two nights?

Send your answers, with your name, address and daytime telephone number to Southport Fireworks competition, c/o Vicky Andrews, St Helens Star, YMCA Buildings, Duke Street, St Helens, WA10 2HZ. Closing date is Friday 1 October at midday.