A HOST of VIPS attended the Colchester launch of a musical campaign celebrating the 2012 Olympics.

Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for communities and local government, was the guest of honour as the Bandstand Marathon scheme was unveiled in a sunny Castle Park on Friday.

It will see 500 bands performing nationwide across four hours to draw the London games to a close on September 9.

The annual event, in its fifth year, encourages bands of all genres to perform free outdoor shows in bandstands.

Mr Pickles, MP for Brentwood and Ongar, joined Colchester MP Sir Bob Russell and town mayor Helen Chuah for introductory performances.

African percussionist duo DrumKulture lead the guests, and crowds of on-lookers, in a bongo session.

The Brentwood Royal British Legion Youth Band, in red military uniforms, also performed in the park’s historic bandstand.

Mr Pickles said: “It has been a great launch and on a sunny day in the park there is no where better to be.”