Jubilee celebrations in Ryde. Picture by Robin Crossley.
VIDEO
THOUSANDS of people lined the streets of Ryde today to watch a colourful 'Cool Britannia' parade, marking the start of the Island's long weekend of Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
The town was bathed in glorious summer sunshine as the carnival procession was led-off along the Esplanade with a parade of veterans.
They marched past dignitaries and were watched by cheering crowds including the Lord Lieutenant of the Island, Major General Martin White and the chairman of the Isle of Wight Council, Cllr Susan Scoccia.
There were marching bands, a parade of veteran British vehicles and people dressed in historic costumes from the Victorian era as well as 'hippies' from the 1960s as the town turned a sea of red, white and blue.
Cllr Scoccia said: "We have sunshine and we have crowds. This is going to be the start of a wonderful weekend. It is fantastic."
For the full story, please see Friday's issue of the County Press. 
Video courtesy of www.MyDestination.com/IsleofWight