THE weather may have ruined the weekend for thousands of people at the Royal International Air Tattoo, but the show went on elsewhere on Saturday.

Hundreds of people piled onto the field next to the County Ground athletics track for the town's first ever Goan Festival.

And the Goan Swindon Association, who managed to put the event together in just under two months, said things went so well it could become an annual event. Activities included face painting, a talent show and all-day concert by local bands originating from Goa, such as Rainbow's End, Jump Start, Shine, High Rise and Gabriel.

The event's crescendo was a violin ensemble and traditional Goan folk singers who performed midway through the affair.

Joeciana Fernandes, 19, an IT student at New College, who lives in the town centre said she was excited to see her father perform in the show.

"My father will be singing a Konkani song which traditional Goan music."

Drove Primary School pupils Swizel and Sam Rodrigues said they were just excited to be in the festival atmosphere.

Sam, six, said: "My daddy is playing drums today so I am very excited."

Elsewhere, pupils from Lethbridge Primary School, in Old Town donned their trainers and braved the wet weather for their school fun run.

The 230 youngsters set out on the 1.5-mile course at 11am on Saturday with parents, teachers and siblings in tow. The event was organised to raise money for the school, which, coupled with the takings from last months 10k fundraiser, should amount to around £3,000.

One of the band of parents organising the event, Kay Wilkie, said the event always drew the crowds.

"The youngsters really get into it," she said. "Our 10k run was very successful so we're hoping that the two together will really boost funding at the school.

"The reason we raise money this way is to make sure the children have these resources, and books are a great choice."

Lydiard Park also hosted an afternoon of fun with Rock Planet seeing nine bands and a dance troupe taking to the stage, despite the rain.

People also enjoyed a water fight, a baked bean bath and volleyball. The day was organised by Christian group ncounter.

Thousands of youngsters flocked to The Circle in Pinehurst for an afternoon of workshops, games and challenges.

The event was designed to raise awareness of the services and clubs that are based in Pinehurst.

Children and their parents designed their own T-shirts, made pizzas and played inflatable table football.

Organiser and dad-of-two Simon Halls, 36, said: "The day went without a hitch despite the rain."