Transports of delight thrill show crowds in fun-packed weekend

Canal boats and a medieval show also featured in the celebrations. which attracted thousands of people.

Rain failed to dampen people's spirits at Willenhall Carnival, with around 1,500 visitors turning out for the extravaganza on Saturday.

A medieval show, mobile zoo and a mind reader proved to be popular attractions at the event at Willenhall Memorial Park. A fun fair, go-karts, live music and dance displays also featured during the day.

Walsall's Mayor, Councillor Mohammad Nazir, officially open the carnival and thanked the organisers. He also crowned carnival queen Laura Weston who sat on a ship-wrecked themed float with her attendants during a parade from the main gate to the arena.

The 23-year-old, of Lilac Grove, Bentley, said it had been a wonderful occasion. She said: "It was a good day. Quite a few people turned up.

"There were a lot of stalls and it had go-karts, a fun fair and bandstand where they were playing all kinds of music." Event organiser Sharon Green said: "We had a great turnout considering the weather. There were around 1,500 people there. We had a show called The Knights of the Crusade which involved them telling the story of King Arthur and Richard the Lionheart."

Scores of families enjoyed train rides during a two-day steam gala at a railway attraction near Stafford. Hundreds turned out to the event at Amerton Railway in Stowe-by-Chartley.

Music mogul and railway enthusiast Pete Waterman opened the event as the guest of honour on Saturday. Volunteers from the railway were on hand to speak to visitors and people of all ages enjoyed train rides.

Amerton Railway spokesman Pete Mason said: "Every year we have a gala. We have our own steam engines and others visit. It's all very exciting stuff. We had hundreds of people there. It's only a little railway so it's a lot for us.

"Pete Waterman came to open the gala. I knew he was into railways in a big way so I approached him and he said yes."

Thousands visited Weston Park near Wolverhampton for the annual model air show.

The Wrekin Model Flying Club staged the event from Friday until yesterday. Highlights included the world's first Mario Jet Car which can reach speeds of up to 100mph. Building such a car has been a long held ambition for show organiser Steve Bishop.

Model helicopter flyers gave displays of heli acrobatics and the flying school gave novices the chance to get their hands on the controls. The event also featured a model boat regatta, model car racing, a fun fair and more than 100 trade stalls. The climax was a mock Blitz, when fireworks were set off in a miniature town.

Meanwhile, hundreds of villagers enjoyed an array of activities from archery to classic car and motorbike displays at the 29th annual Gnosall Carnival.

The event raised funds for the restoration its 11th Century St Lawrence Church.

A parade departed from the Boat Inn, in Wharf Road, during the early afternoon and travelled through the village before finishing at St Lawrence Primary School.

It was led by Peter Taunton, Stafford's town crier, and Lee Storey, Newport junior town crier, headed up by the Stafford Bridges Marching Band.

Nine floats took part along with vintage cars and tractors and decorated prams. St Lawrence's Day Nursery won top prize for the best float.

More than 150 barges came together to mark Pelsall Canal Festival as organisers announced this year's event had been more popular than expected.

The event at Pelsall Wood Common, off Nest Common, was attended by more than 1,000 people. They were able to view the barges and enjoy stalls, a dog show and classic car display.

The community event, held every two years, is organised by The Birmingham Canal Navigation Society.

It is supported by the Inland Waterways Association, Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust, Longwood Boat Club and Walsall Council.

Deputy mayor of Walsall, Councillor Pete Smith, officially opened the canal festival.