HUNDREDS turned out to celebrate International Women's Day in Southampton this weekend.

The big event, held at West Quay Shopping Centre on Saturday, included stalls galore and a performance stage which featured everything from street dancing and bollywood performers to short plays and musical artists.

Hampshire Constabulary also supported the community day with the aim of promoting the prevention of hate crime and radicalisation.

The event was held in conjunction with the annual International Women’s Day which was held this year on Wednesday, with a #BeBoldForChange theme.

More than 20 organisations attended to set up displays and run activities for the occasion.

The day kicked off with a speech from the Mayor of Southampton Cathie McEwing.

Dancers then performed an array of traditional dances, such as Bollywood, Persian, street, Chinese folk and classical Indian.

Lucy Kitchen, The Lounge Kittens, Honey and the Bee, Southampton Ukulady Jam, The Diamond Age and BASEMENT83 also appeared as part of the day along with actors from Nuffield Southampton Theatres who performed short plays and students from Winchester School of Art who put on a fashion show.

Flora Nobile, University of Southampton Student Union's vice president student communities, said: "I think it is really important for women to be able to collaborate with other women and support each other.

"It is amazing to be part of such a huge event and be here with all the posters of the female student leaders I work with and celebrate female leadership."

Julie Shanley, who is the manager of three safe houses for The Medaille Trust in Southampton, said: "We work to help victims of modern day slavery, particularly women that have been trafficked into the country.

"We are here to promote our organisation and to show how we help women to work together in the community. I was lucky enough to see an ex-client here today - it is so nice to see she is doing well and given something back to the community as apart of today's event."

Holly Press, from the City of Sanctuary, said: "It is all about bringing women in the community together.

"We work to bring women together who have been in Southampton a day or all their life."