VILLAGERS smiled through heavy rain to take part in Warton's annual children's sports and parade.

From the WI to Warton Gardening Club and pupils from Archbishop Hutton's Primary School, young and old braved unseasonal July downpours to take part in Saturday's festivities, said organiser Matthew Whittaker.

A fancy dress procession made its way through the north Lancashire village, and there were also children's races, a traditional coconut shy, face painting, balloon modelling and juggling.

Mr Whittaker said the event had been at risk of folding this year, and he told the Gazette: "It goes back to before the First World War, I think, which is part of the reason I stepped in to keep it going."

Mr Whittaker said he felt it was important to bring the different generations together, and to keep village traditions alive.