It may be only the month of May but at the weekend hundreds of Hampshire students partied the night away at their summer ball. . .

FIRE-eaters, fairground rides, dancing and drinking.

Hundreds of Hampshire students partied the night away at their summer ball extravaganza.

Around 3,000 students from Southampton Institute and King Alfred's College in Winchester turned out for the event at Eastleigh Football Club.

The sell-out black tie bash capped a memorable first year of studying for some and the end of courses for others.

Posh frocks and tuxedos were in abundance at Friday night's ball, which featured six fun-filled marquees, fire-eaters and fairground rides.

The institute teamed up with the Winchester college for the £30-a-ticket bash after having to find an alternative site from its traditional venue in Wide Lane, because of redevelopment.

Hollie Moore, vice president of communications at the institute's students' union, said: "We did have a lot of trouble finding a new site and we were starting to worry we wouldn't even find anywhere at one point.

"When we found this site, we knew straight away that we couldn't afford it just ourselves so we asked if King Alfred's wanted to join us.

"This is a great time for people to spend the night drinking and having fun with their best friends, especially if they're in their last year."

The forecast rain held off for most of the night to ensure revellers did not get a soaking.

But some students faced a battle getting out of the new site as the night wound down at 2am and hundreds of people tried boarding specially laid-on buses to get home at the same time.

A range of music was held in the marquees and among the special guests was Radio 1 DJ Colin Murray.

Tania Chevalier, 21, a first year PR and communications student at the institute, said: "It's a shame the weather isn't quite summery but it's a really good night.

"They've done a great job organising it and there's something for everyone with the music, there's a real festival feel to it."

Institute governor Richard Harris said: "It's great to see the students enjoying themselves and letting their hair down at the end of a busy academic year for them."