Organisers believed there were twice as many people along the Town seafront for yesterday afternoon’s events and police said there was no sign of trouble. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 0576943)

THOUSANDS flocked to yesterday’s Liberation Day celebrations. Culture and Leisure minister Mike O’Hara said he believed there were more people in Town than last year.

He put that down to the weather and the alcohol-free zones. ‘We thought we were onto a winner when so many people came in to Town for the parade this morning and after that people kept coming,’ he said.

‘The crowds just seem to be getting bigger and bigger, it is really great.  Youngsters and old are mixing and there is a great community atmosphere.’

He said the idea of creating alcohol-free zones was to encourage families to go to Town. ‘Some people who came into Town last year thought it was going to be the same as previous ones, but they didn’t realise the alcohol-free zones would work so well.’