RAMSBOTTOM'S 27th annual sports festival kicked off in spectacular style over the weekend.

Hundreds turned out in the soaring heat to the opening ceremony to enjoy a number of sporting and fun activities.

The event, in Nuttall Park, marked the start of seven days of sport. Competitions involving the whole community have been going on all week.

But organisers blamed a drop in numbers on the opening day on the closure of the Railway Street entrance to the park by the Environment Agency, which is carrying out a flood alleviation project on the River Irwell.

Dorothy Counter, secretary of Ramsbottom and District Sports Council, said: "Many people use that entrance and we usually get a lot of visitors who travel on the East Lancs Railway. But they could not get on to the showground and the other entrance, off Bury New Road, is quite a walk."

To add to the problems, a communication mix-up resulted in the park toilets being shut to the public.

However, the hitches -- which organisers stressed were minor -- did not put a dampener on the day. Visitors enjoyed a host of attractions on offer including gymnastic exhibitions, birds of prey displays and the popular tug-of-war battle between local pubs.