THOUSANDS of Ford workers - plus their families and former employees - enjoyed a magnificent day of sunshine and fun at the company's 100th anniversary celebrations staged at Southampton Institute's Sports Ground at the weekend.

An estimated 4,000 people made their way to Hardmoor in Stoneham Lane to relax in the blazing June sunshine and to take advantage of the free entertainment put on by the company's social club to celebrate the motor giant's centenary - and the 50th anniversary of production at the firm's Swaythling plant.

Fairground rides, Olympic-style polo, a football competition and jazz bands were just some of the top class entertainment which was put on following months of hard work by members of the company's social club and its centenary committee. Their efforts paid off handsomely with one and all agreeing it was a great day out.

Workers can truly claim to be responsible for keeping the world on the move by manufacturing the so-called "backbone" of Britain - the award-winning Ford Transit.

The van, which has been in production since the 1960s, has been sold all over the globe including to countries as far apart as India, New Zealand and Australia. The Swaythling plant currently produces 310 of the vehicles each day.

Yet, during the weekend's celebrations, work was forgotten as families and Ford pensioners laughed and drank in the summer weather. A steady stream of young and old made their way to the funfair and other attractions that were paid for by the motor giant after it asked its staff how they would best like to mark the combined 100th and 50th anniversary.

While mums and dads looked on, children had their faces painted, were entertained by Punch and Judy shows and cooled down by eating ice creams. There was more to come in the evening for the older set when a Beatles tribute band and a Robbie Williams look-a-like were set to get the older generation's feet tapping.

Colin Harwood, 35, the plant's Trim and Final area manager and senior manager for the centenary committee said: "We were set-up six months ago to plan for Ford's 100th anniversary year with our remit to consult with the workforce on what they wanted. This was what they came up with.

"Ford is at the centre of the community. We are one of its focal points.

"This celebration is supposed to cater for all workers and their families. We have tried to cater for everybody."

Secretary of the Ford Social Club, Martyn Strange, 55, summed-up his feelings about how the day had gone. He said: "The day has been successful beyond my wildest dreams. It has been brilliant."

SEE TODAY'S DAILY ECHO FOR AN 8-PAGE SUPPLEMENT ON THE FORD BIRTHDAY WEEKEND

TO ORDER PHOTOS FROM THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY OF THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY GO TO: www.thisissouthampton.co.uk/ford