Months of planning by Lakeside Arts Centre and Dance4 culminated in an Olympic extravaganza in Nottingham’s Old Market Square.

Nearly 20,000 people packed into the Square to watch Heroes of Nottingham, the Olympic Torch welcome event, on June 28. Four youngsters brought Nottingham legends Torvill and Dean, Brian Clough and Robin Hood to the stage.

Shona Powell, Director at Lakeside, said: “The Torch Relay celebrations were a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Being part of this huge event was such a tremendous opportunity for Lakeside as co-producers with Dance4, and also for the participants to perform before the largest audience they’re ever likely to encounter.

“The atmosphere from early that afternoon — even before it stopped raining — was one of great anticipation, and as the day progressed it turned into a tangible sense of enjoyment and sheer delight.

“The reception our performers got from the massive crowd was unbelievably good, and being in the midst of that audience with people of all ages, all ethnicities and from all walks of life was something that none of us involved will forget.”

Photos reproduced courtesy of Nottingham City Council.