THE three-day Upton-upon-Severn Water Festival was another grand success, say organisers.

On the festival's main day, Saturday, the town suffered no rain at all, despite the generally squally conditions.

Mike Booth, the town's tourism officer, said: "It was astonishing that we didn't get a drop all day long, because you could look all around and it was raining elsewhere.

"It probably put some people off visiting us - we has only 104 boats compared to about 130 last year - but we did pretty well all the same.

"It was a bit slow at first on the Saturday, but people kept coming in and by the evening the town was completely packed."

Saturday provided a broad range of events, with stalls, street entertainers, music and a pig roast.

The parade, which wound its way through the town, was filled with fancy-dress revellers, including a jeep full of American GIs.

Fish Meadow, across the river, was transformed into an airfield, with light planes and microlights buzzing back and forth all weekend.

Upton Youth Band kicked off the evening fun and were followed by a duck race and the swinging sound of the Crescendo Big Band.

And when darkness had fallen, the skies above the riverside town were lit up by the water, laser and pyrotechnics display.

"People said it was the best ever," said Mr Booth. "I really think we do get better from year to year. We have a good mix of attractions and there is a great family atmosphere all day and into the evening."

The fun continued on Sunday with boat races and a light-hearted dog show, a first for the festival.

And on Monday, bargain hunters raced to the town to pick up a good deal at the fundraising car boot sale.