THIS year's theme of wind and water was beautifully upheld by the weather at Malvern's May Day festival in Priory Park.

Luckily Saturday's (April 27) bouts of rain kept themselves to a minimum and some of the many visitors helped shelter each other from the wind.

Less hardy visitors found shelter in the Malvern Theatres while others braved the showers to hear local bands Bad Habits, Seymour and Avant Bards.

Children clearly enjoyed an energetic performance by Soft Option Appalachian Step Dancers, while a new marquee hosting gymnastic displays and workshops also proved popular.

Malvern May Day convenor Phil Howard said: "It was a riot of costume and colour with smiles and laughter all round.

"We had an excellent crowd of all ages and sizes with about 400 participants including musicians, clowns and stall holders.

"Plans are already afoot for next year, which is probably going to be on May 3, the bank holiday, with the theme of earth and fire."

He said the festival was continuing to grow steadily and that merging with the annual well dressing "worked extremely well".

"The aim is for it to spread out further and further and into the wider community," he said.

Tomorrow (Saturday), a concert by Headmix in Malvern Youth Centre will wind up this year's May Day festivities. The eight-piece campaigning band will perform its unique dub reggae meet celtic hoedown sound from 8pm to late. Tickets £6/£5. For more information about the band check out their website at www.headmix.co.uk.