Despite torrential rain, the traditional bonfire and firework display on the Great Lines went ahead on Saturday night.

And although the crowd of spectators was smaller than usual, a good number of people turned up to watch.

Up to 50,000 people have attended the event in previous years. This year’s figure is understood to have been a fraction of that, with only a thousand or so at best braving the elements.

Medway Council events manager Carl Majety said: “The decision to continue with the event turned out to be the right one, because when the mayor, Cllr David Carr, set light to the bonfire there was not a drop of rain falling.

“But the low cloud had a surreal effect on the fireworks, many of which exploded actually in the mist.

"It was like watching fireworks behind a veil and gave an eerie effect.

“It was pretty spectacular despite that, and Medway crowds are wonderful. They gave a spontaneous round of applause after the display to show their appreciation.”

Mr Majety said it had been suggested that the bonfire and fireworks should be postponed because of the weather.

But this would have been impossible, and leaving the bonfire standing for a week or so would have presented a potential danger.

“In the end the decision to go ahead was right,” he said.

For the first time, there was no funfair running alongside the bonfire night event.

Organisers cancelled it, blaming anti-social behaviour in past years, and potential dangers because of the large number of people who now attend.

• The annual bonfire and fireworks display at The Parish Centre, Delce Road, Rochester, was cancelled because of the weather. It will now take place at the same location next Saturday.