A superb day had by all.

A carnival atmosphere turned the heat up in a normally sedate valley village yesterday, when thousands of sun-seekers gathered to make the most of the good weather and enjoy a day of family entertainment.

It was the 16th year for Rothbury Street Fair, in the heart of Coquetdale to the west of Alnwick, organised by the local Round Table in aid of North-East charities.

Among the attractions were bands, stalls with hand-made local crafts, children's entertainers and even an escapologist to amuse those gathered on the village green.

While the handful of surrounding pubs did a roaring trade, it was also a boom-time for the ice-cream vans dotting the main street, with one trader saying it had been "the best Bank Holiday in ages".

By mid-afternoon there were still several thousand people thronging Rothbury's centre, enjoying the free entertainment and soaking up the sun.

Local Round Table spokesman Michael Jeffery said: "In previous years the fair usually gets quiet by this time, but we've been blessed with superb weather.

"It's been a fantastic day and it will help raise much-needed funds for regional charities, including the air ambulance." Round Table chairman Stuart Eaborn said: "There is a tremendous amount of hard work put in by members to organise this event, but it is worth it to see the smiles on people's faces on a day like today."