HUNDREDS of people travelled to the Yorkshire Dales over the bank holiday as a festival got under way.

Jugglers, pirates on stilts, buskers and unicyclists performed on Reeth Green yesterday, entertaining families who lined the streets for the Swaledale Festival. Despite the overcast weather, the street theatre day was a success.

"There is a real buzz here that we have never had before, it was wonderful," said a festival spokeswoman.

The festival, which has been running for 25 years, will continue until Sunday, June 8, with performers and musicians from around the world bringing poetry, workshops, music and entertainment.

Today's events include a seven-mile guided walk around Lower Swaledale, meeting at Downholme Village Centre at 10.30am; a world music workshop showcase concert at Bedale School at 6pm; and the Tees Valley Jazzmen perform-ing at the Buck Hotel, Reeth, at 8pm.

For more information, visit www.swaledale-festival.org.uk, or contact (01748) 880019.