A 'STUNNING' display by a West Devon fireworks company beat displays from others from across the country to be crowned the winner at a battle of the bangs competition.

Tavistock based fireworks display company, Two Tigers Fireworks, wowed audiences and won first place in a prestigious national competition at the annual Pyro-musical event at Eastnor Castle in Herefordshire.

Each company had to design a ten minute display to music, with the audience deciding on the winner by text vote.

Thousands of people voted for Two Tigers to take the top spot, including audience member Chris Roberts.

He said: 'I thought that the display by Two Tigers was one of the most stunning things I've ever seen.'

Two Tigers company director Richard Cranmer said: 'We are over the moon to have won the competition, in fact we were delighted just to have been invited to take part. The other competitors were much bigger companies, so victory was totally unexpected.

'2010 is Chinese year of the tiger, so we knew good fortune might be with us but I really couldn't have imagined this. It's the perfect end to a really successful summer for the company.'

The winning display included three different pieces of music and took its inspiration from the world of cinema.

It began with the theme from the film Requiem for a Dream, followed by Valerie by Amy Winehouse, and climaxed with fireworks erupting to the 1812 overture by Tchaikovsky.

The competition win marks the end of a busy summer for Richard and his team, who have spent the last few months criss-crossing Devon and the rest of the country providing displays.

The company is now busy preparing for Guy Fawkes displays this November.

Last year was the first time the company had put on a show for Tavistock.

Richard said: 'I'm really looking forward to wowing the crowds again this year.

'Last year the weather was truly appalling and obviously deterred many people so we're hoping for a crisp night and a big crowd.

'The Lions Club works hard to organise the event and we hope to do them proud again.

'I'm just thinking about what music to use this year; perhaps I'll finish with the 1812 just like we did at the competition.'

The display will take place in the Meadows on November 6.