MORE than 40,000 people braved a blustery weekend to watch Britain's biggest kite festival.

The Sunderland International Kite Festival, which started in 1986, is now one of the best-known in the world.

Each year, it attracts thousands of visitors, who come to see kite fliers from across the globe descend on Washington.

About 25,000 people came to watch displays on Saturday, although bad weather meant there were slightly fewer yesterday.

The event attracted about 500 fliers from across Britain, as well as 50 from countries as far away as China, India, Japan and Canada.

Organiser Malcolm Goodman, who has a collection of 500 kites, said: "Everyone has really enjoyed themselves - both the fliers and the public - and there has been a fantastic turnout, especially on Saturday when the weather was so beautiful.

"We have had everything from fighting kites to parachuting teddy bears.

"One of the highlights has been the launching of the Friendship Kite, which has been signed by fliers and VIPs since 1986 when the festival started.

"It unites everyone and is symbolic of the idea that there's one sky, one world."

Canadian kite flier Ray Bethell demonstrated the tricky art of flying three stunt kites all at once, with one in each hand and one attached to his waist.

There were kite races, kite-fighting and demonstrations of kites of every shape and size, including a 100ft octopus and a giant pair of joggers' legs.

This year's festival had a special focus on Japan as part of the nationwide Japan 2001 celebrations.

Visitors watched displays by three of Japan's best kitemakers, Mikio Toki, Tokuko Sato and Masaaki Sato.

Scott Butler, from the Great Ouse Kite Club, Peterborough, Northamptonshire, flew his black bat kite during the weekend.

He said: "I go to dozens of events every year and Sunderland is definitely one of the best. There's a great atmosphere here and some excellent organised demonstrations."

Helen Charlton, from Newton Hall, near Durham City, was visiting the festival with nine-year-old son, Sam.

She said: "We came here last year and it was so good we decided we would come again.

"You just don't realise how many different types of kites there are. It's amazing."

Sam said: "I like all the kites, especially the fighting ones. It's really exciting watching them trying to get the other ones to fall on the ground."

Youngsters who caught the kite flying bug also had a chance to make their own kites at a workshop.

As well as the kites, there was a range of family entertainment, including giant inflatables, performances by street theatre company The Naked People, and African musicians and dancers, Wamde.