A PERTHSHIRE firm established with the unusual brief of making all its hard work go up in smoke is celebrating a year to remember.

Just four months ago Blast Design Fireworks, of Coupar Angus, won top place in the Scottish national fireworks championships.

Its success qualified the firm for the UK championships, which were held in Plymouth last week.

Although the company could not win another award, it did manage to explode its way to a very creditable third-place finish, director John Kettles said.

“The competition was run over two nights and unfortunately the weather conditions on our night were absolutely terrible, with rain and high winds.

“In some ways it was just like Scotland but it did make things very difficult for us.”

Despite the strength of competition, Mr Kettles was delighted with the performance.

He said, “We were competing against well-established professional companies.

“In fact, Blast Design Fireworks was the youngest company there and with the smallest team.

“There were strict rules covering the amount of explosives to be used, timing, display content, artistic content, safety, set up, team work and professionalism so it was far from easy.

“In all we were very pleased to come third and are looking forward to defending our win in the Scottish national championships next May.”

Blast Design carries out up to three displays a week for corporate occasions, weddings, birthdays and other special occasions.

Events this year have included a private display for Warner Brothers directors at Kinross House when they were over for the Open at Carnoustie.

Mr Kettles is bracing himself for the firm’s busiest time of the year.