AROUND 3.000 revellers turned out for a night of community festivities and fireworks to mark the 1,000-day countdown to the 2012 Olympics.

The Hallowe’en event began at a floodlit Portland Castle where children in fancy dress, picked up their free glow sticks and joined the lantern procession.

Up-and-coming young sailor Adam Greaves led the procession along the waterfront to Portland Marina with Mayor of Portland Richard Paisley, who also gave the opening speech.

Three sailors represented the borough’s very own warship HMS Portland at the event – one dressed as Neptune and the others in their naval uniforms.

The star of the evening was double Olympic medallist sailor Simon Hiscocks of Fortuneswell, Portland who awarded prizes for best Hallowe’en fancy dress and best lantern.

Olympic-style medals were presented to the winners on a podium, which had been donated by the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy.

Refreshments were provided at the Boat That Rocks bistro, with music from Weymouth band Garfield’s Birthday and Portland band Hallelujah Bay.

There was also face painting and entertainment from a troupe of 14 young street dancers from the island.

The youngsters had been practising their routine at the Osprey Leisure Centre this half term through an activity organised by the Revive Portland Project.

A fanfare of sirens from ships in port, including HMS Portland, then heralded a spectacular firework display on the water at 20.12 hours organised and sponsored by Quest Underwater Services.

Dean Locke from Chiswell was there with his family and said: ‘We had a fantastic time – what a great evening. Everyone is happy and there is such a superb atmosphere here – just what we need on Portland. We are already looking forward to the next event!’ Russell Levett, Portland Marina manager who offered the marina offices as the control centre and press room for the night, said: “It’s been a great success for Portland and a real community effort.

Also attending the event was Jeff Wade who heads up community relations for the Olympic Security Directorate of the London Organising Committee.

He said: “We hope to set up similar projects to Revive Portland across the UK under the Changing Places 2012 Programme and if they are as successful as this event, with such a fantastic team that pulled last night together then I would be very happy.”

Jackie Brookes, spokesman for the Revive Portland Project, said it was a magical evening, which was very well supported by local people.

She said: “There was so much going on, we had one of Team GB, Simon Hiscocks presenting the prizes on a rostrum for best fancy dress and best lantern. The street dancers were really great and we had two local bands entertaining everyone with music.

“There were sirens from absolutely everyone of the ships in the harbour, including HMS Portland.”

Chairman Mark Jackson said: “What a tremendous start to the countdown to 2012. We are hugely proud of the community spirit and goodwill shown here tonight – we are so delighted that tonight we have begun to work together on the Olympic legacy.”