THOUSANDS of people are to pack into Southampton Common this weekend as the city's 15th annual Balloon and Flower Festival gets under way.

The two-day event is the largest free outdoor show of its kind in the south with an expected 150,000 visitors due to enjoy the sights and sounds today and tomorrow.

More than 60 hot air balloons of all shapes and sizes, unmissable arena events and the breathtaking Saturday evening "Nightglow" will all feature, alongside dazzling horticul-tural displays.

In addition to the myriad attractions of

balloons, blooms and arena activities, a central element for this year's event is the Festival of Diversity which offers entertainment for the family and marks the European Year of Disabled People.

The city council-organised event features spectacular balloon launches and bloom-packed marquees.

It also sees entertaining arena events such as motorbikes, horses, birds of prey and sheep dog displays.

Last year's Saturday evening Nightglow, where balloons inflate in time to music against the night sky, amazed spectators - and this year's promises to be even more memorable.

The Festival of Diversity is scheduled to take place in a marquee close to the arena and will be opened by actor, Julie Fernandez, who is a wheelchair-user and who many visitors will recognise from comedy hit The Office and the BBC's Spain-set soap El-Dorado.

The Festival of Diversity has been put together by Southampton Centre for Independent Living, with support from HSBC, Ford and the city council.

It features comedians, music and a performance skills workshop.

The Kids Funzone, the Power FM Roadshow and the Festival Food Marquee, together with community craft and trade stalls will offer something of interest in all areas of the

festival site.

This year, the floral and horticultural

displays promise to be better than ever, and the end-of-show Grand Floral Sale on Sunday afternoon is always popular.

The city council's Cabinet member for leisure, culture and tourism, Councillor Peter Wakeford, said: "The Balloon and Flower Festival is firmly established as one of the south's best outdoor events and we are delighted to be able to add a new dimension by including the Festival of Diversity."