THOUSANDS of people were in Upton-upon-Severn for a weekend of waterside fun.

There were events for young and old, from live music and dancing to antique valuations by Harry Sandon of the BBC's Antiques Roadshow, at the 15th Upton Water Festival.

There were also dozens of stalls selling food, jewellery, arts and crafts.

Visitor Graham Williams said it was the first time he had been to the festival, which began on Saturday and was continuing until tonight.

The 60-year-old, who moved to Hanley Castle from Cheltenham in April, said: "I think it is brilliant. This is a really happy town to live in and visit. When the jazz festival was on earlier in the summer the place was packed."

Alvin Baldwin, aged 60, said he didn't mind driving from his Cheltenham home to be at the festival.

He said: "It's worth it to have a day out like this. The people around here are so friendly.

"Cheltenham is six times bigger than Upton but it has nothing like this."

Barry Kitchen, chairman of the festival organising committee, said between 15,000 to 20,000 people were expected to visit over the weekend.

"The festival has grown every year but I don't think it can get bigger than it is now. We are happy with the size. We just want it to continue."

He said that to ensure the future of the festival they need plenty of volunteers to help run the event, and support from the town's traders.

He said: "The shopkeepers are the people who benefit from the festival.

"There are thousands of people who come into the town and spend lots of money in the town and in their shops."

He appealed to residents and businesses to attend the festival's annual meeting on Monday, September 12, in the Bridge House pub in Lower High Street.