BOTH sides of the Mersey are set to welcome back the River of Light firework spectacular this November.

River of Light: The Elements will see the return of Titanium Fireworks, who wowed crowds last year with a jaw dropping display on Sunday, November 4.

Titanium Fireworks took over co-ordinating the event last year and have previously worked on national events including the Mayor of London’s New Year’s Eve party, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay and the opening ceremony for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Thousands of visitors are expected to line the waterfront in New Brighton and Liverpool for the free event which will also act as the finale for the China Dream season and the last major event for Imagine Wirral's year of culture, creativity and ideas.

Fireworks will be set off from the water’s edge and from barges which will float on the Mersey.

The display will also be accompanied by a soundtrack played from key spots and venues across the waterfront.

In Wirral, the event will be held in New Brighton with entertainment for all the family including an appearance of ghostly pirates on the Black Pearl.

In Liverpool, there will be a series of arts installations themed around the five elements that underpin Chinese philosophy; water, fire, earth, metal and wood.

Visitors wanting to catch a glimpse of the spectacle are invited to attend from 5pm for a 6.30pm start. 

Wirral Council leader, Cllr Phil Davies, said: “We are thrilled that River of Light is returning following the success of last year’s event.

“These spectacular displays on both sides of the River are becoming a firm highlight of our annual programme and shine a light on our beautiful waterfronts.

“With family-friendly entertainment on offer in the build-up to the dazzling fireworks display, it will be an amazing experience for the thousands of residents and visitors who will come to enjoy the show.

“It has been an incredible year for events like this in Wirral as part of our Imagine Wirral year of culture, creativity and ideas. River of Light will set the scene for another great year in 2019 as we become Liverpool City Region’s Borough of Culture.”

Around 90,000 people enjoyed the display on both sides of the river last year which generated a £4 million boost for the economy.

Liverpool’s deputy mayor and Cabinet member for culture, tourism and events, Cllr Wendy Simon, said: “We are delighted to be once again working with Titanium, who have an unsurpassed reputation and brought the wow-factor to the waterfront last year.

“We had an overwhelmingly positive response to the 2017 spectacle, so in true Liverpool style we are building on this and bringing in some new surprises.

“The team are working hard to pull together a fantastic, free, family friendly evening out, showcasing the very best of our world heritage waterfront as one of the final events in our Liverpool 2018 programme marking 10 years since we were European Capital of Culture.”

The River of Light is sponsored by Royal Liver Building 360, a new tourist attraction set to open next year at the Royal Liver Building and delivered by Heritage Great Britain.

For more information about the event visit www.riveroflightfireworks.co.uk