Thousands of people enjoyed the May Day bank holiday with the fun of the fair at the Earlsdon festival.

The annual event, which always attracts sunshine and people from all over Coventry, boasted more stalls, rides and entertainment than ever.

Earlsdon Street was a cacophony of noise, as bands played,  children shrieked as they braved the high-speed amusement rides and young cheerleaders from Gemini Cheerleaders Coventry went through their moves.

There was also the more traditional sounds of accordions playing as folk groups performed and Morris Dancers Elephant Up A Pole delighted the masses with their ancient dances.

For the first time another whole street was taken up, with steam engines, pipe organs and a host of flower and plants stalls from the Earlsdon Gardening Club lining Warwick Street.

Pubs in the area did a roaring trade as people of all ages soaked up the atmosphere.

Local History groups were able to show off tips for tracing the family tree in Earlsdon Methodist Church, while at the other end of the fair, St Barbara’s Church in Rochester Road held a fund-raising bazaar.

Other charities and voluntary groups took to the streets to promote the work that they did throughout the year.

Members of the Friends of Canley Ford had an information stall to show people the work that they did conserving the wild flower meadow and stream in Earlsdon.

Organisers of the newly-formed Earlsdon Sustainable Transport Association were also out on the streets to drum up interest in their planned car-sharing club, which is due to launch this summer.

National charities including Christian Aid and the Royal British Legion had stalls, and volunteers from Coventry Peace House were on hand to explain to explain the role of their new refugee centre and their activities at the houses in Stoney Stanton Road.

Chairman Adrian Dyke said:

“We’re always looking for more volunteers to help keep the area tidy, and this is a perfect opportunity to show everyone what we do.”