RECORD crowds flocked to watch the fireworks and enjoy picnics on the lawn while listening to music at West Wycombe Park's annual summer event.

The 2001 - A Space Odyssey- firework display went with a bang as people enjoyed fireworks to the sound of space-themed music on Saturday.

The evening started with candle-lit picnics out on the lawn, and was accompanied by the New Millennium Orchestra who played a variety of space-age hits including Star Trek, 2001, and Jupiter and Mars from The Planets.

Mary Hilder, estates secretary at the West Wycombe estate said: "We had over 4,000 people come along and it went terribly well. The fireworks were the best ever.

"What was lovely was that the band was playing after the show so people went over a period of time and the show didn't just end suddenly."

The event sold out almost a month before the event and there was hardly a blade of grass spare.

When darkness fell, the entertainment started with a War of the Worlds' soundtrack, which was mimicked by the fireworks and crowds increased the electric atmosphere by waving Union Jacks.

The blasts of the rockets accompanied the beats of the drums and when planet Mars was mentioned, a red mist descended around the audience.

The picturesque setting provided the perfect back-drop for the event with the lasers illuminating the lake and acres of unspoilt lawn.

At the grand finale, hundreds of pounds of fireworks were launched up into the air simultaneously as the music rose to a crescendo and the evening came to an end.

At the end of the evening, Land of Hope and Glory was played by the orchestra and the audience swayed from side to side with their candles held up high in the air, and joined in with some flag waving.

The fireworks exploded in time to the tune and a giant balloon, which looked like a UFO, lit up the night sky.