Huge fireworks are set to explode from a giant wooden box for a spectacular 30th anniversary fireshow in Carlisle.

Thousands of people from a across the county are set to flock to Bitts Park for the milestone celebration.

This week, excitable youngsters from Ballyhoo Boutique Nursery, in Shaddongate, were among the first to see the impressive display begin to take shape.

Wrapped up in their hats and scarves, with their little high visibility jackets on, they visited the site on Wednesday to get a glimpse of the structure.

Manager Liane Atkinson said: "We have been doing the topic of bonfire night and quite a lot of them are going to the show on Saturday.

"We have been talking about what it is made of and what is going to happen when it's lit.

"It's nice to see it beforehand."

In previous years the bonfire has taken the shape of a clown's face, a haunted house and a train.

This year a giant box of fireworks has been created by Merlin Fireworks in collaboration with Carlisle City Council, which has organised the annual event since 1987.

Merlin Fireworks designer Gavin Lewery said: "We wanted to make it something celebratory. Rather than going down the obvious birthday cake line, I thought let's do a show about the history of fireworks and where it started."

A 25ft Guy Fawkes and a 12ft girl puppet, who is curious about where it all started, will narrate the story.

There will also be a huge Catherine Wheel next to the bonfire and 2,000 fireworks will light up the city sky.

Gavin continued: "The inspiration comes from when you are a kid and you see the amazing colours, the names and the original designs.

"Each of the giant fireworks will have its own pyrotechnics. It will be like a box of exploding fireworks."

The crew arrived on site at the end of last week followed by six wagon loads of pallets. They set to work on the build on Saturday and over the week the the box and it's exciting contents have started to take shape.

"I would estimate that there is around at least 1,000 pallets," said Gavin.

"The whole thing is designed from the ground up. It's not just a pile of wood. Every level we are considering health and safety, and in order to create a sculpture like this you need to get all around it.

"It's not just how it looks but how it stands as a structure.

"Health and safety is paramount."

Generous donations from local sponsors including Cumbria Waste Recycling, Brampton pallets, Murray's Transport and Longtown MOD, mean there is a supply of quality wood to ensure the build is as safe as possible.

Johnstone's Decorating Centre, Brampton Skip Hire and Edmundson Electrical are also among those who contribute to the event.

Colin Glover, leader of Carlisle City Council, said: "It will be a really exciting event. We always get positive feedback and the most important part is that we can provide a spectacular and safe event for families to enjoy.

"It's the 30th anniversary and you wonder where the years go."

Although the event is free to attend, visitors are asked to make a donation to support local causes.

Funds raised will be split between the Rotary Club of Carlisle South and the Mayor's Charity Fund, whose beneficiaries this year are Carlisle Eden Mind, Samaritans Carlisle and the Royal British Legion Carlisle & Stanwix Branch.

Pre-entertainment starts at 6.45pm before the bonfire is lit at 7pm. A fairground will be open from 5.30pm on Castle car park, formerly Devonshire Walk car park.