Peppa Pig pops along to fun day with 911

Spirits were not dampened as thousands braved heavy rain to attend a popular fun day held at a Black Country park.

Residents packed out Stourbridge's Mary Stevens Park for the May Day Fun Day with large queues forming outside the venue yesterday.

Stalls, a fairground, historical re-enactors and professional wrestling bouts were among the attractions.

And most popular of all was an appearance by children's TV favourite Peppa Pig with youngsters and their families queuing up for more than an hour to see the colourful character.

Organisers said Peppa had been delayed in reaching the site, causing a long queue to form. Among those meeting Peppa was three-year-old Evie Timmins, of Arundel Road, Wordsley, and her mum Lucy Staite, aged 33.

"We absolutely love Peppa and try to see her whenever she is at an event," she said. "Evie adores Peppa and is one of her biggest fans."

One of the other attractions, an appearance by children's character Rory the Racing Car, had to be cancelled after the vehicle bringing in Rory broke down on the motorway.

The day concluded with a performance by band 911 who enjoyed a string of top 10 hits in the mid-to-late 90s.

Crowds gathered to cheer on the band as they took to the stage opening with disco classic More Than a Woman.

Fans cheered as they performed hits Don't Make Me Wait and A Little Bit More. Band members Jimmy Constable and Spike Dawbarn said events like the fun day reminded them of when they first started out.

Jimmy said: "It was at events like this we started our careers."