A WEEK-LONG community festival began at the weekend with a range of activities, from song and dance to face painting and lifeboat displays.

The Circle of Life Festival, taking place at Hartlepool Historic Quay and the neighbouring Sir William Gray Suite until Sunday, began on Saturday with a bumper programme of events.

There was a hive of activity as families visited slide shows and a model display.

There was a performance by Hartlepool Youth Choir, a concert of song and dance, and reminiscence workshops, accompanied by costumed characters.

Sea Cadets demonstrated traditional knots.

The Old Filey Lifeboat was on display.

In the evening, visitors were entertained with a concert by Hartlepool Male Voice Choir.

Julie Fletcher, who is helping to coordinate the festival, said: "The performance by the choir was one of the highlights as they always put on a very professional show."

Throughout the week, activiwill include Egyptian dancing, folk singing, and Sea Cadet displays. A programme giving details of the festival can be obtained from Hartlepool Civic Centre, all libraries in the town, and Hartlepool Art Gallery and Information Centre, in Church Square.