Hundreds of youngsters soaked up the sun and got into the summer spirit at Gravesham’s first outdoor youth festival.

Wall climbing, dry skating, rugby, marching bands and dancers were all on the line-up at the Meopham Youth Festival at Meopham School on Saturday, July 26.

The event, which attracted almost 1,000 visitors, also included performances from some of the borough’s most exciting up-and-coming young rock bands, featuring The Startover, Strangeday and Jump Jetz.

Marching bands from across the South East also put on a show, as did dancers from the Linda Fryday Academy of Irish Dance, which has dancers from Gravesend, Northfleet, Meopham and Hartley.

Kickboxers, young rugby players, and face-painters also showed off their skills, before a music festival roared into life at 4pm.

The free open air extravaganza was set up by the youth committee of the Rotary Club of Gravesend and Meopham and was made possible by a £10,000 grant from Awards for All.

Tina Mallard, the group’s youth committee chairman, said: “It’s been a community day to put something on for local people and was a celebration of our youngsters and their talents.”