Woburn Abbey, the Duke of Bedford's stately home in rural Bedfordshire was the meaning place for Britain's Flower People this holiday weekend. The flower-decked folk are holding a three-day love-in in the grounds of the Abbey.

Fifty thousand were expected to turn up at the Festival of the Flower Children, but on the first day today only about five thousand arrived at the Abbey grounds.

There they will remain until Monday -- a public holiday in Britain -- sleeping in tents, sleeping bags or simply under the stars.

The flower people made a colourful impact on the green countryside of the Abbey grounds, dressed in their flowers, beads and bells. One of the attractions of the day was a hippy wedding ceremony.