THE Great British weather was in full force on Saturday as Yate celebrated St George’s Day.

The town’s heritage centre hosted one of the biggest events to mark the country’s patron saint in the region with a line-up of traditional English entertainment, side stalls and refreshments.

St Mary’s green, between the centre and St Mary’s Church, saw a flow of displays by local primary school children including St Pauls’ Catholic Primary School, St Mary’s Primary School and North Road Community Primary School.

Morris dancers wowed the crowds and a Punch and Judy show kept children entertained.

Several acts were forced inside due to blustery gales in the middle of the event.

Community heritage officer and organiser David Hardill said: “Five or six years we held the event and we knew immediately we wouldn’t be putting up any gazebos or marquees because of the weather. But on Saturday it was breezy and only occasionally gusty so we couldn’t anticipate it.

“We did have a big marquee blow away but the Dunkirk spirit came out with everyone rallying round to help.”

He said the event was still a great success with 1,500 people turning out to enjoy the festivities.

“About 90 per cent of things still happened outside and the Friends of Yate Heritage Centre, who served teas and bacon sandwiches, made even more money than last year,” said Mr Hardill.

“We had our usual favourites and everyone really enjoyed the Spanner in the Works theatre workshops which were Gloucestershire related.

"It was nice to have something very county and English based which people were looking for at this type of event.”