Ellesmere Festival and Boat Rally - in pictures

Ellesmere's canal was transformed into a hive of activity as hundreds of people enjoyed a festival and boat rally over the weekend.

Crowds descended on Ellesmere over the weekend for the 27th Ellesmere Festival and Boat Rally, which ran from Friday until yesterday.

A host of events and activities were held on the Llangollen Canal and organisers said they were pleased with how the festival went.

About 50 colourful, decorated and illuminated narrow boats were moored along the canal all weekend.

Paul Mills, the former event manager who was invited back to this year's event to present prizes to the winning boats, said the festival went 'very well'.

He said: "I was event manager for 10 years and I'd say this year it went very well considering the blustery conditions.

"It was a little quieter than in previous years on the public side but we were almost full of boats.

"The Wem Jubilee Band was terrific and people also really seemed to enjoy the fireworks display we had."

The event was organised by the Shropshire Union Canal Society and many of the canal boats were dressed in lights, bunting, flowers and other adornments.

The event started on Friday with a fireworks display and a concert featuring The Wem Jubilee Band. On Saturday there was a market followed by a hog roast and entertainment from the Wychcraft Big Band and the Little Green Men Morris dancers.