ORGANISERS of a town festival have declared it an overwhelming success.

Thousands of people took to the streets for the Richmond Meet carnival parade, in Richmond, North Yorkshire, yesterday.

Other events over the bank holiday weekend included a civic procession, church service and family fun day at Earl's Orchard playing fields on Sunday, plus a bike race and junior football competition on Saturday.

The fair was also in the market square over the weekend.

Frank Stockton, Meet committee member, said: "We are more than happy with how things have gone.

"It has been a great family event, helped by some excellent weather, and there have not been any problems.

"There was some very big crowds and I think the town's businesses will have benefited."

Richmond mayor Stuart Parsons said he had never seen Richmond as busy as yesterday during the parade.

"Thousands of people came to watch," said the mayor.

"I think it's been an amazing success and I would congratulate the organisers."

One of the weekend's few hitches was suffered by Richmond Round Table.

The organisation's float, which was based on the Star Wars Trilogy, broke down before it left the car park at the start of yesterday's carnival parade.

A tombola in the Friary Gardens raised £1,000. Money from the event will be split between good causes and the costs of next year's event.

The Meet was the 113th annual event held in Richmond.