A CLOUDBURST failed to spoil a spectacular Holmfirth Folk Festival.

The bands and dancers carried on despite the torrential downpour which swamped performers in the procession at the 26th festival.

Umbrellas and raincoats were sported by several groups although the majority soldiered on in their traditional costumes.

Despite the inclement weather, the festival was a huge success, attracting some of the country's top entertainers on the folk scene, including some from overseas.

Mrs Elaine Wood, an organiser, said: "It has been absolutely brilliant - a fabulous weekend - apart from the weather.

"We have had lots of good comments coming back from people who have not been here before and who have been surprised at the variety and quality of events.

"The rain started as the parade formed.

"But the procession carried on because it is such a big part of the festival."

Among the top performers were Danaú, an Irish traditional group based in County Waterford, the Peatbog Faeries from the Isle of Skye and the Old Rope String Band, who stopped off to play Holmfirth in the middle of a tour of France.

The Orange Peel Morris dance troupe from Ontario, Canada, fitted in their routine as part of their UK tour.

But the Fabulous Fezheads, with their lightweight kaftans and Fezzes, were no match for the Yorkshire weather and had to run for cover as the clouds burst on Saturday afternoon.

And the Dzenbii African Cultural Percussion group from Ghana were unable to make it to the festival at all, because of problems with their visa.

Mrs Wood said: "We could not get them over here.

"We did put a lot of effort into it, even going through MPs and the Foreign Office.

"But they were unable to get over here."

More emphasis this year was placed on children's events, with workshops designed to inspire young musicians.

Mrs Wood said: "It started in schools well before the festival.

"On Saturday there was a performance by children who brought their new skills on the didgeridoo to the festival."

Conditions on the festival's campsite at Holmbridge were more than damp over the weekend.

Mrs Wood said: "Inevitably there was a lot of mud.

"But the people have been OK and nobody was stuck down there."