Hundreds of residents have attended a "massive" community-run bonfire at a housing estate, with a local resident saying it helped bring "people together".

The "unofficial" event took place at Penrhys housing estate, Rhondda Cynon Taf, on Thursday, featuring a bonfire estimated to be 80ft (24m) wide and 20ft (6m) tall.

Residents said the annual event has been running for almost 30 years and is now known as a "tradition" for local people, despite previous warnings about safety.

Rhondda Cynon Taf council declined to comment on this year's event but South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, which urged people to attend licensed firework displays, confirmed no incidents were reported at the event.

"It's all about bringing people together, the community, they haven't got anything," said Cai Grocott, who has been going to the bonfire for the past 10 years.

The 28-year-old said he had "never seen it as busy as it was last night", with nearby roads blocked with cars from visitors. More than £1,000 was also raised for local organisations.

"It was honestly like something out of a movie," he said.

"The atmosphere was unreal, everyone was laughing, kids were playing on the banking... just like we used to when we were kids."

"People think it's going to be chaos, people throwing fireworks at each other... but it was so well run," he added.

Grocott said the area had struggled financially in recent years, with a redevelopment programme buying residents out of their homes.

"Penrhys used to be three times as big as it was now. Now, they only have one shop and a church, everything else in the community has been taken away due to funding."

"We're like a lost valley, in a sense," he said.

He said the area gets a bad reputation but he did not view safety as an issue.

Speaking of concerns raised about the potential dangers, he said: "There was a perimeter around the fire, monitored by 10 people, it was always under control."

He also said he would welcome more supervision for the event in the future, including the presence of firefighters and paramedics.

Speaking ahead of the event, Trivallis Housing Association, which owns the land, said it "does not support or endorse unofficial bonfires" but recognised that communities may choose to hold them.

It added: "We would encourage anyone involved to follow all safety advice issued by the relevant public authorities."

It also warned it would not monitor the bonfire site, and its "important that the public understands that these activities sit outside our role and responsibilities".

"We strongly urge residents to attend organised fireworks displays delivered by trained professionals and supported by the appropriate public authorities, rather than attending unofficial events," it added.

Mike Hill, station manager at South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said: "We encourage everyone to attend licensed firework displays."

"If people are planning their own bonfires, they should always obtain the landowner's permission, burn only clean and untreated wood, keep fires well away from buildings, combustible materials and roads, and ensure they have a safe means of extinguishing the fire," he added.

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council said it would not comment on this year's bonfire.