Thousands of people crammed into Helston this morning as Flora Day 2009 got off to a flying start.

Clear blue skies greeted townsfolk as they gathered in a town decked with flowers and greenery for the traditional celebration of spring.

Streets were already thronged as the first beat of the bass drum rang out at 7am and the morning dancers set off on their lengthy route through the town.

Next it was the turn of the colourful Hal-an-Tow pageant - the unmistakable whistles and shouts echoing around the town as the procession made its noisy way through the streets.

Around 1,000 youngsters from Helston's four schools then lined up for the start of the much-anticipated children's dance.

Dressed all in white, the girls sporting floral head bands and the boys with lily of the valley buttonholes, the children made an entrancing picture as they too set off through the streets.

And as ever the town band were doing sterling work keeping the familiar tune at the forefront of everyone's minds.

Helston looks set fair to be hosting another hugely successful Flora Day.

A Flora Day special containing 18 pages of pictures from today's event will be published tomorrow.

Pick up your copy from your newsagent. Pictures from the day can be viewed and bought online by clicking the link below.

Hundreds of photos will feature in our galleries from Wednesday onwards and don't foget to buy Wednesday's Helston Packet for your souvenir picture parade pages!