Kingston’s 25th May Merrie went off with owls of delight, and only a few drops of rain in the morning.

On Monday, drummers raised money for Haiti, children clambered up the climbing wall, gardeners were shown how to grow their own food, and a mass of balloons were released to raise money for cancer charity Momentum.

But the beautiful birds of prey display, including falcons, owls and a kookaburra, impressed animal lovers and scared away the town centre’s pigeons for a few hours.

Outside the Bentall Centre, the 80s theme for the day was illustrated with a disco-dancing sunglass-wearing pair reminding amused shoppers how to pull some shapes.

Around the town, Kingston Knights cheerleaders put on a high-flying display for crowds outside Monsoon in Clarence Street, while breakdancing workshops got children learning new moves at the other end of Clarence Street, near Barclays Bank.

Punch and Judy put on a show, transforming the All Saints Church lawn in the mind of onlookers into a beach-side tourist destination.

Bands, including the Kingston Youth Big Band, entertained thousands of shoppers who had stopped inside Eden Walk for a relaxing break.

There was a small burst of rain in the morning spoiling the hope of a rain-free May Merrie but the afternoon saw the return of the sun capping a successful day’s events.

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