THE BLUE sky over Millbrook, Southampton, was filled with hundreds of billowing kites this weekend for the eighth Southampton Kite Festival.

Round, rectangular or square kites competed with even more exotic varieties such as dragonflies and space shuttles for the attention of delighted children below.

Organisers Solent Kite Flyers were hoping for 10,000 people through the gates of the Lordshill Sports Ground over the course of the two-day festival and aimed for each one to fly a kite before they left.

That ambition was made possible by a kite-making stall which allowed people to fashion their own creation for the princely sum of £1. The efforts of children littered the sky and forced punters to keep a wary eye on the surrounding air for dive-bombing DIY attempts.

"It's not just about flying kites, it's about making use of the wind," says organiser Michael Lowe enthusiastically.

He showed off a 'wind harp' and other air powered musical instruments, which had been brought all the way from Holland, to show what he meant.

The festival also saw night flying kite competitions and a stage of a national kite flying championship where experienced pilots showed off synchronised routines.

For a bit of variety, the weekend also saw a host of other events by the likes of the Solent Eagles motorcycle display team and Liberty Pride Cheerleaders. Other highlights included a fun fair, street theatre, a Punch and Judy show and a craft fair.

Clearly something of a kiting evangelist, Michael, who sported a kite-themed waistcoat, thought everyone should be flying something.

"The sky is free so we should be using it," he says. "It is better than sitting in front of a computer or the TV. I have been doing it since I was very young and I love it.

"Everyone who comes is a kite flyer by the end of the weekend, we hope. If they haven't brought their own, then they can build one in our workshop."

Little Grace Brown, four, had travelled down from Edmonton in London with bookmaker dad Lee, 28, just for the festival and was busy trying to get the kite she had made stay in the air.

Lee said: "It is very family friendly and my daughter has had plenty to do. We've all had a great time."