Crowds flocked to Kingston on Monday to bask in the glorious Bank Holiday sunshine and enjoy the annual May Merrie celebrations.

The town centre was teeming with life as shoppers and sunseekers lapped up the host of free activities on offer including street comedy, music and circus workshops.

Despite the main event on the Fairfield being cancelled due to poor turnout and rain last year, town centre manager Graham McNally said Kingston was "heaving".

"What a fantastic day we had," he said.

"There was a real buzz around the town and people were taking part in all of the activities on offer from the live music to the kiddies kingdom."

Retailers including Bentall Centre and John Lewis and Eden walk shopping centre got involved in the festivities by putting on music and family events and there was a craft fair at All Saint's Church.

The activities even stretched as far as the river with the Minima Yacht Club putting on a round the island race to Raven's Ait which raised £2,000 for the RNLI.

Penny Boyd, events officer at Kingston council, said: "We had record crowds and it was the busiest May Merrie I can remember - so many families were out enjoying the activities and everybody had a great day."

To view and but more photos from the event, click order a photo.