THOUSANDS flocked to Port Glasgow as the Comet Festival was held for the first time in three years.

Huge crowds turned out to Coronation Park as the event made its comeback after a pandemic-enforced hiatus.

Festivalgoers enjoyed a whole host of events and entertainment, including live music, dancing, birds of prey demonstrations, inflatables, food and drink tents and a funfair.

Proceedings got under way with the traditional parade through the town centre, which featured new gala king and queen Cameron McQuade and Hayley Johnstone.

The pair of St Stephen's High School pupils, both aged 12, took centre stage in the parade, while Provost Drew McKenzie officially opened the festival

Provost McKenzie, who opened the festival, said: “Absence makes the heart grow fonder and I was delighted to welcome back the Comet Festival to Coronation Park for the first time since 2019.

"It was well supported by the people of Port Glasgow and wider Inverclyde.

“It was a thoroughly enjoyable day out and the weather was certainly on our side in the afternoon with warm and sunny spells as the many visitors enjoyed the various attractions and welcomed our new gala king and queen Cameron and Hayley, who were a credit to themselves, their families, school and the town.

“The festival ran smoothly from start to finish and I’d like to congratulate the organising committee, supported by council officers, on a job very well done and I look forward to the event in 2023.”

The event was organised by the Comet Festival Committee with support from Inverclyde Council through the Meliora Festival Community Fund.

The festival and the Port Glasgow 10k road race, which was held the following day, were the latest in a series of events that have taken place across Inverclyde during May and June as part of the council’s Meliora Festival.