MORE than 500 youngsters were treated to a feast of fun and entertainment at the ninth annual Watchet Kids Festival.

Early rain turned into a sunny and breezy day, with non-stop activities from arts and crafts sessions to story telling and traditional games.

With at least 700 adults also on site at the Memorial Ground festival base, there was plenty for all ages.

Juggler and trickster Dan the Hat and wacky performer Jason Maverick kept the crowds in stitches, while storyteller Tuup - delayed by traffic - made it by late afternoon and kept his listeners spellbound.

Young street dance ensemble Beatbox UK were also on their toes.

But anyone wanting a quieter time could head for the calmer surroundings provided by the town's children's centre and Harbour Community Bookshop.

Rachel Irven, spokesman for the organisers, described the event as a resounding success.

"We would like to thank everyone who pulled together to make this year's festival possible," she said.

The major sponsors of the event included ARTlife, in conjunction with West Somerset Council, Watchet Town Council, the Friends of Little Vikings, the Harbour Community Bookshop, Co-Op and the Watchet and District Choral Society.

But Mrs Irven said organisers were also indebted to the many volunteers who helped before, during and after the festival.

Only one incident slightly tarnished the event when vandals tipped over the chemical toilets after the festival had ended.

"All the clearing up had been done and the only thing left on the site was the toilets, which were due to be picked up on Sunday," said Mrs Irven.

"But sometime on Saturday, vandals tipped them over, leaving organisers to clear up the mess the following morning.

"You have to ask what sort of idiots would take pleasure in this?

"We have some inkling who might have done this but we don't want the actions of a few stupid people to spoil the fun of the majority."

Photo: Steve Guscott