SOUTHAMPTON gave a soaring send off to the Golden Jubilee celebrations yesterday.

Hundreds of balloons were released outside the city's WestQuay shopping centre for a Daily Echo balloon race to mark the occasion.

It was launched by Daily Echo managing director Stewart Dunn to the accompaniment of a jazz band.

The event capped a memorable-four days worth of events in Hampshire to remember 50 years of Elizabeth II's reign.

Thousands of people turned out for street parties.

SEE SOUTHERN DAILY ECHO ON 5 JUNE FOR A 28-PAGE GOLDEN JUBILEE STREET PARTY SUPPLEMENT. The Southern Daily Echo is available from newsagents and supermarkets across Hampshire or by going to: http://www.thisissouthampton.co.uk/hampshire/southampton/contact/subscription.html - to order online.