A FURNESS firework display company hopes to give business an extra lift by competing on the national stage in a prestigious pyrotechnical competition.

Pyroartistry at Broughton-in-Furness has been selected to take part in the British Musical Fireworks Championship at Southport this year.

The three-day event in October sees top display teams from all over the UK performing large- scale displays set to music.

Company boss Trevor Stride, 53, believes that taking part in the competition will light the blue touch paper to taking his display talents to ‘the next level’ and attract more business.

“We are really pleased to have been selected,” said Mr Stride. “It’s quite a fun thing to do as well as a chance to put on a really good show.

“It seems hard for Cumbrian companies to be taken seriously, with people often going to firms in London to do displays. Hopefully this will show them our talent is also up to the job.”

Mr Stride started his business 14 years ago after previously putting on displays for friends – a law change meant he either had to turn it into a profession or stop completely.

“We have been asked to do a 16 to 18 minute piece, which is quite long for fireworks,” he said. “It means putting a lot of thought into it to ensure people are kept interested all the way through.”

He added that once he had the music chosen, the plans would come quite naturally.

“I choose music that inspires me rather than just being something that I like” he said. “The ideas come thick and fast once I have the right music.”