BARNOLDSWICK was bristling with more bugs than MI5 at the weekend, for the second Barlick Bugs festival.

The community arts event offered well over 30 attractions, activities and entertainments, all based around a "bugs" theme.

The festival involved groups from throughout the town and was organised by a specially formed committee of local people.

It attracted people from far and wide, helped by TV weatherman Fred Talbot who did his nightly forecast from Barnoldswick on Friday, publicising the weekend's activities.

Much of the entertainment was based in the Town Square, where a stage was erected, but other events were taking place at venues throughout the town.

Barnoldswick Town Crier Kevin Griffiths officially opened the festival on Saturday and among the first to take to the stage were Barnoldswick Brass Band and local tap dancing group Super Troupers.

The crowd had a chance to try their own fancy footwork during a line dancing demonstration and a Samba musical workshop.

Everyone in the fancy dress parade got a prize for their efforts, while the talent show drew a varied crop of entries, from country and western singers to a talented young Bugsy Malone, from Settle.

The music continued well into the evening, with local bands taking the opportunity to showcase their talent.

Away from the square there were massage, pottery and bug making workshops, singing recitals, art demonstrations, poetry reading and free have-a-go craft workshops.

At Lower Park Marina, free canal boat rides proved popular, while Barnoldswick's historic Bancroft Steam Engine was in steam on Sunday. There was pond dipping in the Valley Gardens, a girls' football tournament at West Craven High Technology College, and on Sunday a guided walk around Barnoldswick.

Local youngsters raising funds for a wheel park put on displays of stunt bike riding and on Sunday there was the welcome return of Albert Mellin and his family with their sheepdog and duck trials.

Sunday's highlights included the Wakefield Gospel Choirs, the Pendle Youth Orchestra and Craven Harmony Singers. Street entertainers amazed the crowd with their circus skills and there was more entertainment from the Pendle Young People's Theatre.

Children's rides, a giant bouncy castle, face painting and stalls all added to the fun, together with a Bugs sculpture trail.