SOUTHAMPTON'S city centre community got together for a celebration in the sun at the sixth annual St Mary's Festival.

A colourful procession with schoolchildren carrying stars and rockets they had made with the help of local artists paraded through St Mary's Street.

At the same time Vicar of Dibley star Emma Chambers cut the ribbon to open the new St Mary's doctors' surgery, to loud cheers from the 2,000-strong crowd.

There was plenty on offer to keep them all entertained. Not least, the performance stage which saw a host of musicians from guitarists Luke Strickland and Neil Maddick to drumming group Banda Bat 2K, which also held a workshop.

Teenagers battled it out on a jousting game in which they tried to knock each other off a pole with pillows. Younger children had a circus tent, magicians, Punch and Judy and face painting to keep them occupied.

Festival co-ordinator Jo Musgrove said: "The festival is about having a day of togetherness in the area. It is very diverse culturally and ethnically, so it's important to have a day when we can all get together."

The event was funded by local businesses, Saints, lottery money and a city council grant.