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Armed Forces Day events mark waterfront park opening

Stockton Council Crowds cheer from Stockton Waterfront's amphitheater as they watch a blue, red and white smoke display from the other side of the river Tees. Stockton Council
Stockton Waterfront officially welcomed its first visitors on Saturday

Wartime musical performances, an open-air thanksgiving service and a ceremonial flypast marked the official opening of a town's new waterfront park.

Armed Forces Day: A Community Celebration took place at Stockton Waterfront as the space welcomed its first visitors on Saturday.

The site opens up Stockton High Street, connecting it to the River Tees through a land bridge structure, spanning Riverside Road and providing uninterrupted access to the riverside.

Here are some of the best photos capturing the weekend celebrations - as Stockton Council said the event showcased "the scale and ambition" of what the waterfront would offer to residents, visitors and businesses.

Stockton Council Dozens of people line the steps of Stockton Waterfront's amphitheatre. Brown brick buildings on the high street are visible in the background.Stockton Council
Stockton Waterfront officially opened on Saturday as part of the borough's Armed Forces Day celebrations
Stockton Council Two women raise their hands in the air and smile during the celebrations on Saturday. Stockton Council
Crowds were treated to performances and a flypast
Stockton Council A man is jumping in the air as he plays the piano during a performance at Stockton Waterfront. He is wearing yellow trousers, blue shirt with red and white flower print and sunglasses.Stockton Council
No celebration is complete without music
Stockton Council Crowds a performance at Stockton Waterfront's amphitheatre, which overlooks the river Tees. Stockton Council
An open-air thanksgiving service in the new amphitheatre also took place
Stockton Council A small white boat passes by as crowds are sat in the amphitheatre. Stockton Council
The council hopes the new site will bring events, new business and much-needed footfall
Members of the armed forces are sitting at the amphitheatre, holding flags. They are wearing uniform and havesome of the have medals.
Armed Forces Day: A Community Celebration was be the first event celebrated in the new urban park
Stockton Council Three women and a man clap while they watch a performance at the waterfront's amphitheatre.Stockton Council
Poetry adorns the steps of the amphitheatre, as crowds enjoy celebrations at the new urban park
Stockton Council A middle-aged man and woman, a teenage girl and a younger girl are standing by the river as they watch and take photos of the colourful smoke display on the other side of the river bank. Union Jacks are hanging form the banister. Stockton Council
The community celebration is just the beginning as the council said Armed Forces Day kicked off a "packed events programme" in the town

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