A huge sum of £18,000 was raised from this year's spectacular Candles on the Cobb event which returned to Lyme Regis after four years.

The stunning display saw the harbour wall softly glow last Sunday night from the lights of thousands of tea light candles, in what was thought to be its best-attended event yet.

Around £18,000 was raised for good causes, organisers from the Lyme Regis Rotary Club said.

Each of the 5,300 candles was sponsored in memory of a loved one, each numbered on a map indicating its position on the wall.

The spectacle was watched by thousands who gathered in Langmoor and Lister Gardens and along the seafront.

There was also music and entertainment in the afternoon and evening in the lead-up to the lighting of candles.

This included Lyme Regis Town Band and the group Big Whiskey performing in Marine Parade Shelters plus a performance from Lyme Morris.

Ukrainian families in the Lyme Regis area also got involved. Together they built a crown of candles on the beach, which was displayed next to a Union Jack and the Ukrainian flag.

The event is traditionally held every three years but was unable to go ahead in 2021 due to the uncertainties around the pandemic.

Secretary of the Lyme Regis Rotary Club John Berry said: "It went really well, I would be a complete fibber to say nothing went wrong, but it was probably our record event so far. Lots of people turned up and we had delightful weather.

"I was impressed by how the local community groups helped us in particular the RNLI and gig club and the Lyme Regis Scouts, Charmouth Scouts, powerboat club and sailing club. Without them, we could not have done it."

Early estimates put this as the best-attended Candles on the Cobb since the tradition started in 2000 and has raised roughly £18,000 for charity.

This year's beneficiaries are the youth projects in Lyme Regis, the British Red Cross and Cancer Research UK.