An explosive world record attempt came under fire as a barge carrying fireworks appeared to blow up and burst into flames.

Around 175,000 people turned up for Roar on the Shore to see 110,000 fireworks set off in under 60 seconds from the barge between Bournemouth and Boscombe piers in Dorset last night.

But instead of rockets shooting to the skies, the event was over in about six seconds as the metal barge appeared to explode, with flames spreading across the deck.

Visitors were then left facing delays of up to three hours to leave the town as the roads became gridlocked.

Ruth Downing, 33, from Bournemouth, said: 'It looked like the barge just exploded and then caught fire. I think the wind might have caused problems.

'It was very disappointing not so much a roar as a growl. We thought it would be rockets exploding in the sky in this amazing fireworks display, but instead if you blinked you would have missed it.

'It was just a big bang, a blinding flash and then flames. That was probably the most exciting bit because it looked like the barge was on fire.'