Steven Tomlinson, the 10-year-old son of Leeds fundraiser Jane who lost her battle with cancer two months ago, took to the stage in front of tens of thousands of onlookers to light the gigantic bonfire in Roundhay.

After a deafening countdown from the excited crowd, he and Councillor Bill Hyde, Leeds City Council's lead member for leisure, hit the switch and triggered a series of explosions at the top of the mountain of pallets which then burst into fearsome flames.

Half an hour later people clutching toffee apples, sparklers and lightsabers fell silent as the first of hundreds of rockets soared high into the air above Soldiers Field, synchronized with classical music.

Steven told the Yorkshire Evening Post he was really excited, especially as the bonfire was "the biggest one in Leeds and I've never lit one before."

Proud dad Mike, who accompanied Steven, said: "If Jane had been here she would have been thrilled.

"But she would have been more thrilled at the way he's handled himself since she died."

The fire attracts 70,000 spectators, and is organised by the council and sponsored by Ventura and Magic 828.

Roundhay resident, Thelma Bilbey, there with husband Russell and their daughter Serena, nine, said: "We love it. It's a good buzz."

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