SOUTHAMPTON'S Golden Jubilee celebrations start today when a four-day fun-filled extravaganza kicks off at Mayflower Park and a unique exhibition opens in the city.

The party in the park features music, market stalls, a beer festival and dancing, and revellers are being encouraged to bring their own picnics to mark the occasion.

Southampton will also be hosting a range of street celebrations and community events in the coming days.

The start of the Mayflower Park bash coincides with a new exhibition, put together by Southampton City Archives and Southern Daily Echo publishers, Newsquest.

A number of specially-designed poster boards will be on display at WestQuay shopping centre over the next two weeks, to highlight the city's defining moments of the last 50 years.

The exhibition will then be taken on a tour of Southampton for the rest of the year.

City mayor councillor Brian Parnell, who unveiled the exhibition ahead of the official launch, said: "I think it's excellent that the young people of Southampton will be prompted to remember the past."

Newsquest Hampshire managing director Stuart Dunn said: "We were approached by the city council about this exhibition and we thought it would be great to be involved.

"The Daily Echo has reflected so much of local life over the last 50 years."

The Daily Echo has produced a Golden Jubilee book, priced £1.99, looking at events of the last 50 years.

It is currently available from leading newsagents.