THOUSANDS of people swarmed to Therfield Heath on Sunday for Royston’s charity kite festival.

The event organised by the Rotary Club of Royston is expected to raise �6,000 for the Multiple Sclerosis Trust and other charities.

Neil Heywood, president of the club, said: “It was an excellent occasion where everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.

“The kite displays certainly did not disappoint.”

“Even a shower in the middle of the day did not deter people from coming.

“This is the 10th year that the Rotary Club of Royston has run the kite festival and it looks as though it will be a record year,” he said.

Andie Harper, of BBC Radio Cambridgeshire, and the mayor of Royston, councillor Robert Inwood, opened the event which featured about 60 stalls representing local charities and organisations.

Mr Heywood and Councillor Michael Weekes, the chairman of North Herts District Council, judged the children’s kite-making competition.

Adam Quickenden, 10, and six-year-old Iorwen Ellis came up trumps.