YATE Shopping Centre has marked its 50th birthday with a weekend of free entertainment for all its customers.

As the centre was basked in sunshine and warm temperatures on Saturday, hundreds of visitors enjoyed a line-up of music from the five decades since the shopping centre first opened. Tribute acts to Frank Sinatra and Buddy Holly, Tom Jones, Adam Ant, Michael Jackson, Madness and Robbie Williams played on an outdoor stage while crowds sat on hay bales to enjoy the musical journey through the last 50 years.

On Sunday, Westcountry favourites The Wurzels went ahead with their gig despite torrential downpours all morning. The cider-swilling band played inside the former Entertainer toy shop to a packed crowd of shoppers.

Throughout the weekend there was also a performance by Avon Fire and Rescue Service’s wind band, inflatable fun and children’s characters.

Shopping centre manager Andrew Lowrey said: “We are very pleased with how the 50th anniversary celebrations went and are thrilled that so many people turned out to witness the vast array of talent on show.

This was always going to be a key community event and the unveiling of the new mural shows just how much input there has been from all age groups in Yate.

"It was a historic occasion for Yate and the shopping centre staff are very grateful to all those who helped make the weekend so special - and the last 50 years so successful.”

On Sunday, Yate mayor Cllr Tony Davis unveiled a new mural created to mark the 50th anniversary.

The mural, located on a toilet block by West Gate Health Centre, replaces one on the town’s old Tesco supermarket which could not be removed in one piece when the store was demolished to make way for a new Tesco Extra.

This new mural features tiles designed by pupils from The Ridge Junior School and St Mary’s Primary School as well as members of the community, with artist’s ages ranging from five to 95. Tiles feature some of the shops, facilities and events within Yate as well as the town’s flora and fauna and historical references.

Cllr Davis said: “This community mural was created to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Yate Shopping Centre and Yate’s long history.

“It was created for and by the community.”

Local artist Sue Bruten oversaw the project and has spent the past 18 months designing its overall look.

She said: “I entered Yate into the Britain In Bloom competition and thought actually this is such a good centre for the community and really draws the community together.

“When the old mural was broken it made me think it would be nice to create a new one to celebrate the 50 years the centre has been open. I decided it would be best to do the history of Yate and started with its entry in the Domesday book.”

Yate Shopping Centre was opened by Patricia Phoenix, (who played Elsie Tanner in ITV's Coronation Street), athlete Mary Rand and comedian Ted Ray on September 25, 1965. It now boasts over 100 shops and has seen numerous extensions including most recently a new Tesco Extra supermarket and stores including M&S Simply Food and Sports Direct on East Walk. A new six-screen cinema and associated shops and restaurants on the former overflow car park are currently under construction.