THOUSANDS joined in the global Live 8 concert celebrations in Alderley Edge on Saturday.

Families armed with picnic blankets and hampers watched rock legends like Madonna, Paul McCartney and U2 over champagne and strawberries in the village park.

Altogether around 5,000 spectators enjoyed the concert, which was beamed onto a giant television screen from the Hyde Park.

Some settled down for the day with rugs, while others called in for a few hours to savour the atmosphere.

And the weather played its part too, as grey skies cleared during the day, taking the threat of rain with them.

Organiser Vin Sumner said: "I am overwhelmed by the response and hope that everyone who came will remember a very enjoyable day but more importantly why we were all there - to join in the global campaign to implore and challenge our leaders this week in Gleneagles to take unprecedented steps to make poverty history."

As the sun went down teenagers ran to the front of the arena to press up against the railings and savour the festival atmosphere.

But everyone had to catch the closing hours of the concert elsewhere as the screen was turned off at 10pm, when the public entertainment licence expired, despite the Hyde Park show running three hours later than scheduled.

Rev Brian Young, of Alderley Edge Parish Church, addressed the crowd between acts calling on the people to remember the message behind the music.

Souvenir T-Shirts and Make Poverty History wrist bands helped raise additional money on the day and once all bills are paid, the surplus will be donated to Oxfam.