Complaints over queues to see West Bromwich fireworks

Lengthy queues and a lack of ticket kiosks have sparked hundreds of complaints over an organised fireworks display.

More than 300 people took to Sandwell Council's Facebook, external page following yesterday evening's display at Dartmouth Park in West Bromwich.

People complained about queuing for up to an hour to get in with some saying that people were later let in for free.

The council has apologised for the queues saying 15,000 people attended.

Complaints included:

The event cost £7.50 for a family ticket with the bonfire being lit at 18:15 GMT, a children's fireworks display at 19:15 and the main display at 20:15.

Ian Parkes, 40, travelled from Tipton for the event with his wife and five-year-old daughter.

He said they queued nearly an hour to get in, saw the children's display but decided to leave when he heard an announcement the main display was delayed.

"It was chaos at the gates," he said.

"There were no marshals. You had to try and get out of the way of people who were still trying to get in and it didn't seem to be manned any more. People were pushing past.

"I think people were worried they were going to miss the fireworks and the queues were absolutely huge."

He blamed council cuts, saying there used to be a lot more organised events in the area. Now there are only two, Dartmouth Park and one in Smethwick, he said.

Sandwell Council issued a statement on its Facebook page saying the event had been really busy.

"In 23 years we've never had so many people come to this event. We estimate up to 15,000 people were there.

"Apologies to everyone who had to queue."