A host of impressive BMX and skateboard tricks were on show at the seventh annual St George Park Jam.

The skate park was the centre of attention for the hundreds of people who had come to the park for the event.

But yesterday was not just about riding, and the "street-style ghetto fun jam hippy festival" tried to feature something for everyone.

Outside the skate park, there was a stage powered by solar panels on top of an old milkfloat, which later in the day featured live music and dance demonstrations.

But from noon, all the attention was focussed on the skate park.

Craig Reynolds provided commentary for some of the best tricks on show. The event's principal organiser was in his element, imploring the riders to pull out bigger and better tricks to the delight of the crowd.

He is the founder of Body English, a voluntary organisation which founded the St George Jam and since then has helped build new jumps in skate parks across the Bristol area and, with the support of businesses, given free skate helmets to many young users of St George Park.

One of the youngest riders taking part in the day's competitions was Laurie McQueen, 12, son of Ben Greenland, another of the event's organisers.

Mr Greenland said: "I think that Bristol is the best city in the world and we should have a world-class skate park here."

Dawn Sayers, 44, a teacher from Gratitude Road, Easton, was watching her son Benji Cooper, 13, a pupil of City Academy, compete in the skateboarding competition.

She said: "The St George Jam is a great event and it's wonderful to see so many people here. I always come down and support Benji at these events and take photos of him and his friends that they can then put online. I always enjoy it."

For dog walker John Stevens, 54, of Church Road, Redfield, the St George Jam was a bit of a surprise as he entered the park. But he said he soon became enraptured by the back flips, tail whips and 360s being performed in front of him.

He said: "It's absolutely brilliant. I have never seen St George Park so full."