In pictures: Shropshire Kids Festival in Shrewsbury

There were more than 100 activities to keep the children entertained from donkey rides to an inflatable Helter Skelter.

But the biggest draw was a 75 foot long water slide and bubble fountain. Despite chilly winds, hundreds of children donned their swimming costumes to hurtle down the slippery slope.

Organised by Beth Heath, who has also organised Shrewsbury Christmas and Shrewsbury Food Festival, the two-day event was a huge success. More than 2,000 people had pre-booked tickets and it seemed the sunny weather had brought out thousands more.

Visitors to the festival helped to break the record for the longest chain of paper hearts.

The previous record was 1,000 but author CL Bennett of the Bugglepuffs books along with guests made a link of 1,210 hearts.

Beth said: "I wanted this to be the sort of festival I would bring my children to and which they would enjoy. I needed it to be more fun that any festival that I have ever been to before.

"I started planning it in September and I have to thank everyone who had faith in me. It would not have been the success it was without them.

"I came up with the idea of a one-price entry as I had got fed up of attending events where you had to spend more money once you were in. It seemed to go down very well with the parents. It has been fantastic and hopefully it will become an annual event."

Though Sunday did not see the same fantastic weather as Saturday, the festival still drew huge crowds. Beth said: "We were surprised at how many people came so we have had a few queues.

"But there were children everywhere just having a great time."

Luke James, 36, from Telford went along with his partner Sam Allaway, 36, and their children Charlie and Travis, nine, Ethan, four and two-year-old Ella.

The pensions analyst said: "It is a very good family event and it was really good that the price that you pay on the gate is all that is needed. It is very good value for money."

Steve Shaw, a 35-year-old IT consultant and his wife Emma, a 30-year-old nurse, had travelled from Bridgnorth with their children George, five and Stanley, two.

"There is lots going on and the kids have really enjoyed it," said Emma. "They have played in the bubble fountain and have also had a go at football and on the assault course."

Clare Lamprell, 35, had taken along her three-year-old daughter Bella. The Shrewsbury teacher said: "Bella wants to have a go on everything.

"The problem will be having time to do it all. She has been really looking forward to it. The giant water slide and the bubbles are what she is most excited about."