IT WAS a trawler day to remember on Sunday as West Bay teemed with locals and visitors.

With temperatures soaring towards 100 degrees, the atmosphere was more like the Mediterranean than West Dorset.

For the previous two years, the event has been a washout so the contrast could not have been greater.

One of the main organisers, Ernie Hix said: "We're very pleased but I wonder if the weather was too good because everyone was on the beach."

The event raised more than £2,400 for the RNLI. Collectors made their way through the crowds on the beach but Mr Hix said that the branch could have done with more people rattling buckets.

Conditions were perfect for the air sea rescue display, which involved the new Weymouth lifeboat, the Lyme inshore lifeboat and the coastguard helicopter.

Right on cue at 4.45pm, the helicopter came thudding into view and the audience on the beach and the east pier were treated to a display that combined flying skills and seamanship.

Bridport RNLI branch president Fido May said: "We are very lucky to have the Weymouth boat on an annual basis, together with our friends from Lyme Regis."

Some 30 craft were involved in the festival and many of those on board were sporting fancy dress to complement their bunting bedecked vessels.

The boats' traditional squirting of water at people on the piers was a welcome relief from the baking heat, which was still burning at 6pm.

And the parade of boats out in the shimmering seas of the Bay was a wonderful sight.

Peter Hopwood, who has been the commentator at the festival for years, said: "We have had more craft in the water and the conditions have been excellent. This has been a wonderful day."

Next year, the festival will have the benefit of the £14 million coastal defence scheme and a new outer harbour.

Said Mr Hopwood: "It's the last time for the configuration of the harbour and we couldn't have wished for a better swansong."