More than 2,000 dazzling fireworks and a 40-foot bonfire will light up the night skies above Carlisle this evening.

And more than 35,000 people are expected to come along and enjoy the spectacle.

The final preparations for this year’s Carlisle Fireshow are being completed today by city council staff, fireworks experts and local volunteers.

They have spent since last Saturday building the structure in Bitts Park,that they will be setting fire to tomorrow.

The event will be the 32nd fireshow staged by the council, and over the years it has grown to be one of the biggest events of its kind in the UK.

From the start,turnouts to the annual event have far exceeded expectations: the first fireshow was held on October 31, 1987 and about 200 people were expected to come along. But a total of 2,000 arrived.

More than 35,000 spectators are likely to attend tomorrow and the event is named on The Times Top 10 bonfires list.

Bitts Park forms a natural open-air auditorium, so events there often draw large numbers of people.

But the event’s artistic director Gavin Lewery - who has been involved in the last five fireshows – offered another reason for its popularity.

“It’s not just a bonfire, it’s not just a pile of pallets,” he said. “It’s always something interesting and theatrical, and I think people recognise that.”

Each year the event has a theme. Last year it was the suffragettes, marking 100 years since women were granted the vote. This year it is commemorating the 50th anniversary of the first moon landings, in July 1969.

So the centrepiece of the bonfire will be a giant curved façade, with projected pictures of the moon and Planet Earth.

Gavin added: “We are not just telling the story of the moon landings, because that’s already been told. We’re telling a different story and connecting it to a local heroine.

“But we’re keeping the other details secret.”

The evening’s festivities will begin with a fairground on the Castle car park between 5pm and 9pm. Pre-entertainment starts at 6.30pm and the bonfire will be lit at 7pm.

The event will be hosted by radio presenter Caroline Robertson. She said: “What an honour to host when we’re marking 50 years since the moon landing.

“I’ve looked my spacesuit out especially. It’s going to be a gravity-defying night!”

Admission is free. However, a charity collection will be held with proceeds going to the Rotary Club of Carlisle South and the Mayor’s Charity Fund, which is supporting CFM’s Cash for Kids, Guide Dogs UK and Jigsaw Children’s Hospice. Volunteers will be holding charity buckets and organisers are asking adults to consider giving at least £2 each.

A special viewing area for people with disabilities will be set aside on Sheepmount Road.

Light showers but low winds are predicted tomorrow so appropriate clothing is advised.

Dogs should not be brought along and no alcohol is permitted. For safety reasons visitors are asked not to bring their own fireworks.