LET'S party! Up to 2,500 staff and their family and friends did just that - thanks to one of Southampton's big-name employers.

Financial services group Skandia laid on the biggest corporate party of its kind in Hampshire at the weekend, and these smiling faces show just how much people enjoyed themselves.

The event, held at the historic Beaulieu estate in the New Forest, was organised to celebrate Skandia's 25 years of business in the UK.

Guests flew in from as far afield as Finland and Norway to take part in the UK Fun Day, which went on late into the night.

Mike Evans, chief operating officer at Skandia UK, said of the event: "A huge amount of effort has gone into making this possible and I'm sure everyone will agree that it has been a great success and a lot of fun.

"2004 is a big year for us. We've come a long way in 25 years and it's wonderful to see everyone enjoying themselves at such a superb venue.

"I can't think of a better way to celebrate our anniversary year."

Singer Tony Hadley who made his name with 1980s supergroup Spandau Ballet was the star attraction. Other entertainments included fireworks, a disco, a comedian, a strongman, fairground rides, children's play zones and a string of prizes, including a Mini Cooper S.

More than 1,500 people are employed at Skandia's UK headquarters opposite the Civic Centre in Southampton, with a further 500 working elsewhere in the country.

Skandia, originally an offshoot of a Swedish parent company, started out in the summer of 1979 with just 25 employees scattered across the UK.

Some of them reportedly started out in Southampton from humble beginnings - licking envelopes!

Skandia went from strength to strength locally, generating headline millionaires such as former boss Alan Wilson who lives near Winchester, through performance-related bonus schemes.

It now manages assets of more than £17.4 billion and is one of the UK's top ten financial services groups.

See today's Daily Echo for more pictures from the Skandia party.