CHART-topping stars who performed at Hull's Freedom Festival have promised to come back and do it all again.

Alesha Dixon, McFly, The Saturdays, Foals and Diana Vickers were among the music acts who performed at the event on Saturday.

More than 50,000 people turned out for the entertainment at Humber Quays and Queens Gardens, which was renamed Freedom Gardens for the weekend.

From famous faces performing on stage and giant inflatable monsters passing through city centre streets to fireworks and comedy – the event catered for everyone.

McFly's Harry Judd, who performed on the Viking FM stage at Humber Quays, said: "A lovely gig by the sea with the sun as well – Hull has done a good job today."

Asked if the band would like to return to the city, Harry said: "Definitely. We might just stay here."

Fellow bandmate Tom Fletcher said: "It's great to be back in Hull. We have played here a couple of times and it's always been a fantastic crowd, a fantastic reaction, and today was no exception."

Strictly Come Dancing winner Alesha Dixon said she was thrilled to be back in Hull.

"It feels nice to be here," she said. "I did this last year and the crowd was brilliant and it's always a good show.

"I think you've got a great set-up because you're near the water and it's always nice to do a gig that's on the water.

"As long as the crowd are up for it, it's a win-win."

Alesha said she would "absolutely" return to the city, saying: "I was here last year so I'd definitely come back again."

Roll Deep and The Wanted also performed for the crowd at Humber Quays.

Diana Vickers, who found fame on ITV's the X Factor, said the crowd gave her a warm welcome.

"It was really good," she said. "It's really nice because it's such a warm crowd.

"It's good to put big events on in places like this."

Diana also confirmed she would be happy to perform in the city again. She said: "I'm well up for it. I have been doing festivals all summer and we have some really great acts.

"It's a great line-up."

Freedom Gardens played host to performances from Mercury- nominated Foals, as well as other acts including Bikini Beach Band, Hot Gospel and the Nyanga Project.

Foals guitarist Jimmy Smith has a love of East Yorkshire after attending the University Of Hull, where he studied geography.

He said: "Hull's a fantastic place, it's a really great university and I like the whole area.

"We've played in the city a couple of times now and I'd always come back."

Keyboard player Edwin Congreave, who was born in Leeds, said: "An event like the Freedom Festival would be good for any city.

"There's a carnival atmosphere.

"This feels like a privilege to play such a big festival in Hull."

* Freedom Festival souvenir supplement in today's Mail