ONE of the most popular events in Newport’s calendar got off to a storming start today.

The city centre was filled with fun, music and laughter on the first day of the Big Splash event, which is being held for the eighth year.

Live music, performances and colourful characters filled the streets, with highlights including Joy Magnet’s Roo’d performance, which saw giant kangaroos bouncing around on stilts, as well as the story of Celtic queen Boudicca as depicted by the Wheelabouts.

Surprise pop-up performances by lively musical troupe Wonderbrass also went down well, as did a number of dance performances and live music shows by a host of talented performers - all for free.

Jamie Thomas, 12, of St Julians, was out with his dad and little brother Liam, five.

"There's lots of things going on for children and adults," he said. "My favourite thing was the people dressed as kangaroos - that was really funny.

"It's good that it's a sunny day, it would be rubbish if it was raining."

And dad Rob said: "It's such a great event for the children. It's so colourful and lively - Liam has been fascinated by everything that's going on."

Joan Philips, 57, of Duffryn, had only come into town to do some shopping, but said she was delighted to see how busy the city centre was.

"It's lovely to see so much going on," she said.

"The city centre can sometimes be a bit quiet so this is brilliant. Hopefully all the shops and market traders are doing well from it."

The event is funded by Newport Live, the Arts Council of Wales and Newport City Council, while sponsorship is being provided by Friars Walk, Kingsway Centre, Newport NOW and Western Power Distribution, with events held at five 'zones' across the city centre, at the Riverfront Theatre, Friars Walk, the Kingsway Shopping Centre, the walkway between the University of South Wales and the red wave, and a Newport NOW zone at the junction of High Street and Commercial Street.

The event continues tomorrow.

For more details visit bigsplashnewport.com