FOLK music was drifting out of marquees, pubs, halls and even a church during the Swanage Folk Festival as hundreds of visitors came to town.

When the late summer sunshine became heavy rain on the first day of the annual music and dance celebration it was looking ominous for the organisers.

But by Saturday the sun was back, to the delight of dancers from as far away as Slovakia who put on displays at more than 40 venues.

The showpiece as always was the dancing procession along the seafront. But there were other highlights including a Sunday church service featuring Morris dancers, folk musicians and other performers at St Mary's parish church.

Spectators were treated to the spectacle of Rapper dancing and encouraged to have a go at the dance, which is similar to sword dancing but uses an implement from the pit pony era of coal mining in the North East of England.

Dance co-ordinator David Blakeley said: "We have been very lucky with the weather. The rain on Friday may have kept a few people away but the sun came out on Saturday. "We had five minutes of drizzle on Sunday and it looks as if it might rain again but all the dancing is finished now.

"We had a real mix of music so most people could find something that they liked. And the festival has become a very popular venue for the Morris dancers."

The festival's main marquee was at Sandpit Field where popular artists Craigstone and Serious Kitchen performed, while there was dancing under canvas on Saturday night with Cheap Jack.

Elsewhere festival-goers were able to enjoy a triple bill concert at the Middle School or wander around the colourful craft fair, music and beer tents.

First published: September 13