DAMP and drizzly conditions forced organisers to axe the big showpieces of the Weymouth Sea Festival.

Reports of predicted gale force eight winds put paid to both the Trawler Race and the Birdman competition at the two-day maritime celebration.

Sea Festival secretary Marion Targett said it was a tough call to make.

She added: "We're absolutely gutted. It's been a year's long haul of work for this two-day event.

"We're going to make the most of it - it's a bit of rain and lots of wind, but it's all going to come together."

The Bank Holiday Monday show still went on at Weymouth harbour, with many visitors braving the bad weather to support charities set to benefit from the festival. But Sea Queen Martina Smith's boat tour of the trawlers was scuppered by choppy waters caused by north-easterly winds.

Although the trawlers didn't race as planned, decorated vessels were still judged and provided a welcome dash of colour under murky skies.

Local bands provided live entertainment along the quayside into the evening. Stalls set up by the waterside, including a French market, attracted festival goers.

Also attracting interest at the harbour was HMS Cattistock - and occupants took a break from their duties to soak up the festival atmosphere.

But Sunday was a completely different story at the Sea Festival.

Philppe Peigney, chairman of the French market, said: "Sunday was wonderful because it was so sunny and lots of people came along and had a good day."

Around 25,000 people turned up to enjoy some unexpectedly warm weather, Mrs Targett said.

"Sunday was fantastic, we had the sun out and 25,000 people were here.

"We thought it was going to be a more relaxed day but it was really busy," she said.