THREE days of festival fun climaxed with the Rossendale Carnival as hundreds of people turned out to enjoy the festivities at the second annual Rossendale Alive weekend.

The final day consisted of The Rossendale Carnival and Rural Fair on Sunday with the carnival procession leaving Rossendale United's Football Ground on Dark Lane and heading down Newchurch Road to Marl Pits for an afternoon of family fun at Rossendale's Rural fair.

The afternoon entertainment included a Viking and Saxon re-enactment camp, a showcase of rural arts and crafts, a dog show, music, dance, fairground and rides and stage performances including the Blues group The Floorshakers.

Marl Pits Sports Complex played host to a brass band themed music evening on Friday with Haslingden and Helmshore Brass Band playing film music in a Proms in the Park type setting.

Saturday saw Marl Pits Sports Complex host the multi-cultural Mela including a diverse selection of music, dance, food, arts and crafts and sporting activities.

Also on Saturday Rawtenstall Market satisfied everyone's taste buds with their annual Food Festival which included cookery demonstrations by Phillipa James, a hog roast and a selection of food stalls selling local produce.

Gillian Smith, from Rossendale Leisure Trust, said: "The event is an annual community festival celebrating the diverse community of Rossendale. It featured music, dance, stalls, and children's entertainment and let's not forget the mouth watering food. This year Marl Pits was awash with a sea of colours and sound."

The weekend was organised by Rossendale Leisure Trust, Rossendale Borough Council, Rossendale Carnival committee, Friends of Rossendale Mela, Chamber of Commerce and Rawtenstall Market Trust.

Click on the link below to see our photo gallery from the event.