The Romsey Festival held its official launch last weekend.

Representatives from all the groups putting on events attended the event on Friday June 30, as well as MP Caroline Nokes and the Countess Mountbatten of Burma.

The Romsey Festival is holding a wide range of events until July 16.

Hampshire Chronicle: John Ray handing the flag to Rev Thomas Wharton

The launch event was held in the Church Rooms at Romsey Abbey because of the rain.

Festival chairman Liz Wagner said a few words of welcome and thanked everyone involved for the hard work in organising more than 250 events.

READ MORE: Southern Water plans £800m water recycling project

Romsey mayor John Ray then passed the Romsey Festival flag to Rev Thomas Wharton.

The flag is currently flying on the Romsey Abbey mast and will be there until the end of the festival.

Hampshire Chronicle: Countess Mountbatten of Burma and MP Caroline Nokes

Guests could try a special Romsey Festival beer, made by Flack Manor Brewery.

Romsey Festival vice chairman Mark Edgerley said: “To help guests find an event or activity of interest we have added a search facility on our website so you can search by event type, location or date. Details of each event includes a link to the box-office, some free events are ticketed to limit numbers. A downloadable programme of events is also available from our website.”

For more details, visit romseyfestival.org.