SOUTHAMPTON'S two-day nautical extravaganza celebrating the city's naval past is underway.

More than one hundred families have flocked to Southampton docks for the start of Southampton Maritime Festival.

Daily Echo:

With a selection of historical ships on display, vintage buses, classic cars and talks about the city's maritime history residents have plenty to see at the two day event.

Gary Momber, chair of the organisation committee said: "It's great to see so many Southampton people coming to see what the festival is all about.

"We have so much history on our doorstep and it is really important that we keep it alive.

"We have lots more historical societies here than last year which is great and people really seem to be getting involved in the story of Southampton."

After the official opening, girls from across the country let out screams of excitement as pop band Kingsland Road took to the stage.

Coming to the city especially for the festival, Matt, Joe, Jay, JJ and Josh performed their debut single Dirty Dancer which was released earlier this month.

Rosalind Fountain, who organised the music for the Maritime Festival, said: "They are such lovely boys and everyone is really enjoying their music, it's exciting to have them in Southampton."

Later, Kingsland Road held an impromptu meet and greet after their performance, Elisha Bootham, 16 from Southampton has been asking the band through social media sites to come to Southampton for a performance.

She was in awe of the five boys after meeting them: "I just love them so much, they are all so genuine when they perform, they are absolutely amazing and are always themselves on stage.