THOUSANDS of people flocked to Ripley on Saturday to celebrate the village’s legendary bonfire night.

Typically attracting around 15,000 visitors from all over, there is a torchlit parade to The Green, to where the Bonfire Queen – this year Emily Williamson, along with her attendants Megan Ruddy and Maisy Harmsworth – travelled by royal carriage among the procession of floats and people in fancy dress.

On arrival Queen Emily lit the massive bonfire at Pond Dip, which kicked off the most spectacular firework display around. Held on the last Saturday of October, Ripley Bonfire hosts Benson’s Funfair, food stalls, a bar with live music, and a perfect view of the bonfire.

Ripley Youth Club came up with the deserved winning float with their Poppy Day theme: as a salute to villagers who lost their lives in the First World War, their names were included on the float.