CROWDS turned out in force and the sun shone to help make Chatteris Festival weekend a big success. Residents and visitors lined the streets for Saturday s parade of floats, bands and walking groups, led by the festival king and queen, Luke Elam and Louis

CROWDS turned out in force and the sun shone to help make Chatteris Festival weekend a big success.

Residents and visitors lined the streets for Saturday's parade of floats, bands and walking groups, led by the festival king and queen, Luke Elam and Louise Mead, with prince and princess Ryan Gillmore and Lauryn Titford.

Hundreds of pounds were collected along the parade route which will go to the town's youth organisations.

The crowd then switched to the Wenny Road recreation ground for a programme of entertainment including the Crazy Cats, Peterborough Highland Band, St Neots Sentinels, Eastern Blocko samba band, Littleport Lancettes and March 1220 ATC Squadron.

The Chatteris Allotment and Leisure Gardens Association produce show was held over Saturday and Sunday and included food tasting and trade stands.

On Sunday it was the turn of youngsters in a full programme of races, although numbers of competitors were down on previous years. The festival dog show offered a large variety of classes including a special class for the best Chatteris dog. More than 60 dogs took part and £150 was raised for the RSPCA Block Fen Animal Centre and festival funds.

The weekend also saw various events at St Peter and Paul's Church, including a flower festival, choir recital and cheese and wine evening.

Norman Larke, festival committee chairman, said the weekend had been a success but more people will be needed to make sure the event carries on in its present form. He is stepping down as chairman and believes other committee members will also resign next month.

The festival continued this week with a summer fayre, country dancing, barbecue, and activities for the under fives. Tomorrow will see a community fair in front of the Parish Church (9am-noon). In the evening Chatteris Town Band will give a concert in the church.

On Sunday the arts and crafts sale at the museum comes to an end, and from noon until 5pm there will be a barbecue at the Working Men's Club.