The hugely expensive "River of Light" council-run fireworks display staged tonight in the middle of the River Mersey has been blasted as a let down on social media.

The first ever Bonfire Night collaboration between Liverpool and Wirral councils - which may have cost in excess of £100,000and was heralded as the "most exciting night in Merseyside" - turned out to be a damp squib for many.

Several traditonal local council-run bonfires were cancelled on both sides of the river in a bid to drive families to see the grand display on the waterfront.

Wirral Globe:

Wirral Council had said it was costing £60,000 split between the two authorities.

But to make matters worse, Moreton councillor Chris Blakeley revealed he has discovered that was a drastic underestimate.

He said: "The cost of Wirral Council’s collaboration with Liverpool City Council to provide a ‘River of Light’ have risen from £30,000 to £56,000.

"The latest figures were provided to me following complaints that the town hall is promoting the event as ‘free’.

"Once again we see those at the top of the council playing fast and loose with people’s hard-earned council tax.

"It’s bad enough that half the local community bonfires had to be scrapped to make way for this event.

"Now we find the costs have spiralled and as usual we’ll probably find out they are even higher.”

Sadly, despite the expense, the display left many people feeling decidely underwhelmed.

Wirral Globe:

Claire McColgan, Liverpool City Council's head of culture, admitted plans for a smartphone app to allow people to listen to music during the display were not made clear.

She told BBC Radio Merseyside: "We tried to do something new this year. Some people didn't like it, some did.

"We will take whatever lessons have been learned into next year.

"In terms of the fireworks on the river, the Mersey is so big and there are challenges around that. The drumming and the planes were brilliant."

Wirral Globe:

Here's a few comments from social media:

Claire Francis: "Fireworks on the Albert Dock are the biggest disappointment ever."

Stuart Mason: "Are you serious? The fireworks? surely there has been some technical errors? That can't be what was planned."

Michelle Charters: "So dissapointed, not like anything I expected from the build up to it. Everyone just upped and left."

Andrew Kayll: "Is that seriously the river of light spectacular, launched from so far away I may as well have watched a display on YouTube"

Chris: "Officially The WORST fireworks display I've ever seen."

Johno: "How the hell two councils perpetually whining about savage government cuts can even contemplate such an extravagant waste of money is beyond me."

Wirral Globe:

Tony: "Pathetic. As if burning up so much tax payers' money in 20 minutes in the middle of the Mersey is some kind of virtue."

Cllr Matthew Patrick, cabinet member for community engagement, said: "It was fantastic to see the number of people who lined the promenade from Woodside through to New Brighton to watch the River of Light at the weekend.

"I'd like to say a big thank you to our staff, partners and volunteer ambassadors, who gave their time on the night to ensure things ran smoothly.

"All feedback on major events is welcomed and appreciated - it helps us in understanding what works and how to improve when planning future events."