Thousands turned out for the spectacular finale of the Malta International Fireworks Festival on Monday night, including Maltese expats who flew back to be wowed as the sky was painted in rainbow colours.

The evening began with a traditional Maltese display accompanied by the music of Eurovision hopeful Gianluca Bezzina’s competition entry Tomorrow

Breathtaking displays lit up the Grand Harbour and warmed the hearts of fireworks enthusiasts and passers-by alike.

The finale rounded up the three-day pyro-musical competition, which saw the harbour at Marsaxlokk , Għajn Tuffieha and Grand Harbour take it in turns to play host to pyrotechnical companies from across Europe.

Local enthusiasts had to make do with second place when it was announced that a foreign manufacturer would be walking away with the honours.

The top prize went to Lieto Fireworks of Italy, followed by Mt Carmel Fireworks Factory of Żurrieq and Focs d’Artifici Europa of Spain in third.

The Żurrieq company was also crowned audience favourite thanks to the public SMS voting system.

The evening began with a traditional Maltese fireworks display accompanied by the music of Eurovision hopeful Gianluca Bezzina’s competition entry Tomorrow.

The festival came to a close with a bang with a pyro-musical display by PyroEmotions Fireworks of Italy.