TENS of thousands of people flocked to Bournemouth for the world's biggest sports and music festival.

Bournemouth 7s officially kicked off on Friday with more than 400 sports teams set to visit the festival site at Chapel Gate.

Netball, dodgeball, hockey and rugby sevens games all took place, with finals on Sunday.

Away from the sporting action, there were a dozen themed festival arenas and more than 40 live acts.

Singer-songwriter Example headlined on Saturday night.

Festival founder Roger Woodall launched the event in 2008, when 4,000 people attended.

The former semi-professional rugby player, who spent his career at Leicester Tigers, said: "I'm over the moon with it all.

"I'm so pleased with it.

"It's all like-minded people who are here having fun. It's about sports and music and just having a great time."

Mr Woodall and his wife "risked everything" to bring the festival to Bournemouth, even remortgaging their house in the pursuit of their dream.

He said the experience has gone beyond his "wildest dreams".

"Some people come every year," he said.

"There are people here today who have come for the past 11 years. We've got such great loyalty.

"Our visitors come from all over the world - South Africa, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Dubai are all represented. We've also got people from the four corners of the UK.

"It seems like half of the population of Wales are here."

This year's festival featured a Carlsberg beer tent, a fun fair, cider and cocktail gardens and beer pong.

The theme was 'glitter and glow', and many visitors took it to heart, wearing sequinned outfits or decorating their faces with sparkles.

Although the temperature in Hurn reached a sweltering 27.5C, storms were forecast for the evening.

Leon Broughton, visiting Bournemouth from Wales, said: "I've been for the past couple of years.

"It's always the best weekend of the year."

Dan Brown, of Surrey, urged his fellow visitors to try the tequila milkshakes on offer. The 22-year-old said: "I'm already having an amazing time.

"I can't wait to see Example later."

Visit bournemouth7s.com for further information.