WALKERS took to the hills and children enjoyed free Bank Holiday fun during Dursley's first ever rural festival.

Despite the downpours, people still joined in the entertainment on the recreation field and took part in 28 guided walks.

The three-day festival was organised to mark the Cotswold Way, which runs through Dursley, being officially unveiled as Britain's newest National Trail last week.

It included walks for people of all abilities on parts of the new trail and through stunning countryside around Dursley.

There were also plenty of activities for children including competitions, African dancing displays and Rednock sixth former Louise Cole brought along her very own falcon.

Dursley's history as a market town was reinforced as the very best in food and drink was on offer. Glasses were rarely half empty at the beer festival and Cotswold chef Rob Rees provided cookery demonstrations. There were also blacksmith and forester displays and a local cheese maker showed visitors how to make goats' cheese.

Shirley Hill, of Vale Vision which organised the festival, said: "It all went very well, in spite of the weather.

"There should have been lots of outside events but we managed to move them inside and there was quite a nice atmosphere.

"Some people cancelled the walks but many went in the wind and the rain."

She added: "Many parents said how lovely it was to have lots of free activities for children of all ages and lots of people have asked when are we going to hold another festival.

"We had some campers from Holland who found out about the festival on the internet and a group from Kent so hopefully this has really helped in putting Dursley on the map."

Vale Vision will now review the festival before considering whether to organise a similar event next year.

See tomorrow's Gazette for a picture special report