RESIDENTS gathered in the market place and danced in the rain at this year’s Wantage Carnival.

The sounds of the Blues Brothers tribute act and local singers entertained visitors as the town carnival once again proved a hit on Sunday.

Local businesses set up stalls for arts and crafts, handbags, furniture, jams and pickles, whilst the funfair attracted youngsters.

Among those were sisters Ava Marshall, seven, and sister Kyra Marshall, nine, who won a goldfish at the fair.

Dad Stuart Marshall said: “The weather did not put us off and it was a lovely day – the Blues Brothers were probably the highlight.

“There seemed to be a really good crowd still despite the weather and people were out dancing in the rain.

“We always try to support the local businesses and try to go as it is always a fun day for us.”

This year’s event included family games, trampolines and inflatables and vintage motors were on display.

The Motorlux garage in Wallingford Street held a Ford Revival day and paraded a number of vehicles through the town.

There were appearances from a Thunderbirds car made by local youngsters in fancy dress and a Blues Brothers American-style police car.

The carnival was restarted by organiser Ray Collins – who manages Peter Ledbury electricals in Grove Street – in 2013 after a 25-year absence.

Mr Collins said he wanted to create a market throughout the town with local businesses hosting stalls to help build on the town’s recent retail success.

Wantage was crowned best town centre in the country in the Great British High Street Awards in November.

Mr Collins added: “The event went really well; obviously it was a bit damp in the afternoon but it did not dampen spirits and we still had a really good turn-out.

“There were lots of people enjoying themselves and they were out dancing in the rain – it was a fantastic atmosphere.

“The Blues Brothers went down a storm as well as local band The Publix and a local singer, Whitney Cooper, were among the acts that the crowd really got behind.”

The event had about 16 local businesses turn out and a funfair that attracted many families, plus reptiles and birds of prey for youngsters to get close to.

Mr Collins added: “It is the kind of town that always supports all sorts of events.”

Money raised at the event will be split between Wantage’s 14 Club and Beatbox youth club, which help people with learning difficulties, Yellow Submarine cafe in Oxford, and the Churchill Hospital in Oxford.