IT was party time in Minehead’s Blenheim Gardens on bank holiday Monday when over 2,500 visitors and local people flocked to a Party in the Park which organisers hailed as “an amazing success”.

Minehead Rotary Club and volunteer group Gateway Events had teamed up to organise a family day out with games, street food and free entertainment designed to bring “an extra-special bank holiday fizz to the town”.

“This was our first party venture and we were hoping for a few hundred people,” said Bill Howard, of Gateway Events.

“We were amazed and delighted by how many turned up and thrilled that they all seemed to have a really good time.

“There’s obviously a real demand for summer events like this in Minehead and we will certainly be repeating it next year.”

Families enjoyed children’s games, free entertainment and competitions, a tug of war, vintage steam lorry rides around the town, junior fairground rides and dancers and singers.

Mr Howard said part of the proceeds would go towards Gateway Events’ three-day Christmas festival, which is already in an advanced planning stage.