THOUSANDS of people enjoyed the opening weekend of Salisbury International Arts Festival.

The 17-day festival launched on Friday with a free performance of Moon Songs, with hundreds of Wiltshire school children singing specially composed songs in Salisbury Cathedral.

On Friday evening, hundreds watched and heard Earthrise featuring the Salisbury Festival Chorus in Salisbury Cathedral.

And on Saturday and Sunday entertainment exploded on to the streets with free theatre, dance and circus performances as part of City Encounters. There were also two family fiestas at Bemerton Heath and Salisbury Arts Centre.

Salisbury International Arts Festival returns after a year’s hiatus. This year’s event runs until June 9 and marks two global anniversaries - the moon landings and the fall of the Berlin Wall.

For more information go to wiltshirecreative.co.uk