DESPITE wind and heavy rain, hundred of people turned out to watch as Guildhall Square in Southampton was set alight.

French fire alchemists Compagnie Carabosse worked their magic at the launch of the revamped square, turning it into a blazing garden.

Cascades of candles and moving fire sculptures lit up the whole area, as crowds stood mesmerised by the flames.

Councillor Royston Smith, leader of Southampton City Council, said: “It’s been a great night. You never know how these things are going to work and it is quite an unusual event, “But you just have to look around at how many people are here to see it’s a success.”

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The Alive and Ablaze event marked the official opening of the new square, which has been overhauled as part of a £4.6m project to create a cultural quarter at the heart of the city.

Cllr Smith added: “We want to give Southampton back a public open space and draw in people from all over the region.

“We’re the biggest city on the south coast and this sort of thing is going to put Southampton on the map.”

Visitors enjoyed live music, food and were able to wander among the fire sculptures placed throughout the square and into nearby Andrews Park.

The free celebrations were organised by The Nuffield theatre, Southampton City Council and ZEPA (European Zone of Artistic Projects) as part of the Art at the Heart series of creative projects for the city.

The fire sculptures will be lit again tonight, for a second Alive and Ablaze event between 6.45pm and 9.45pm.