A SUMMER festival got off to a spectacular start last night, with a world premiere display by about 60 high-flying acrobats.

The performance artists of La Fura del Baus, and local aerial artists Hang, launched SummerTyne, a ten-day festival of music, theatre, film and photography.

The acrobats were performing a show called Naumachia, for the first time, from the theatre ship Naumon, moored at Spiller's Quay, Newcastle.

Naumachia will be performed again tonight, from 9.30pm. Tickets cost £5 and can be booked by calling 0191-443-4661.

The festival will also include concerts by Kris Kristofferson and Wynton Marsalis and an Americana weekend. Go to www.thesagegateshead.org