ROMAN weekend kicked off a six-week long city festival with a ‘bang’, say organisers.
More than 14,000 spectators lined the streets and packed out the Amphitheatre on Saturday and Sunday for the start of Chestival.
On Saturday, legions of Roman soldiers marched through the city and Grosvenor Park to the ancient Amphitheatre.
At the peak of the gladiator games more than 4,500 visitors were seen at the historic Chester landmark.
Chester Festivals director Tracy Lynn said the weekend was a ‘huge success’.
She said: “We think it was a spectacular start to the MBNA Chestival and really showed Chester in its true light and there is more of this to come.”
Organisers welcomed the arrival of the outdoor cinema yesterday, which will show Finding Nemo and Grease today.
On Sunday the city centre streets will be filled with huge giant sculptures for the Chester Carnival of Giants, starting at the Amphitheatre at 11am.
For more information about Chestival, go to www.chestival.com.