THE FINALE of the Wye Valley River Festival took place in Llandogo and Chepstow over the weekend.

For two days swing bands, a torch light procession and a grand finale of the River of Fire lit up the riversides on the two Welsh border towns.

Saturdays events in Llandogo was centred on musical performances over fields by The Stoop Inn.

Sunday’s festivities by Chepstow racecourse saw more than 200 people make the most of the sunny weather.

Helen Hevicon, from Llandogo, said: “It was brilliant, our family and our friends thoroughly enjoyed it. The weather really made it and I even got sunburnt.

“Me and my son did the torchlight procession in the evening and everybody seemed to be having a great time with the music and everything going on.”

As well as the music, three caravans were designed to tell tale of 'curiosities and hydrosities', 'fact and wonder' and 'myths and legends'.

There was also a 'river A&E laboratory' and a Samovar brewing up tea.

Saturday started with a Meet the Water Ones songs of silliness sessions before a Paris Jazz Café Swing Band, storytelling walks by Roger Drury, the North Star Folk Band, Lydbrook Ukelele band and the final procession.

Sunday had performances by St Johns on the Hill Junior Choir, Forest of Dean Male Voice Choir, the Savoy Youth Theatre during the day, and in the evening, people enjoyed the Lydbrook Band and Fiona Frank Trio.

There was also storytelling by Janet North, mandala making and Welsh workshops focusing on arts, crafts and literature.

Winifred Baker, of the Old Ship in Llandogo, said: “It has been so beautiful with the sun over the hills right by where I live and the lights from the torch light procession with the fireworks. Just unbelievable.

“I got really into the samba and my musical highlight has been violinist Fiona Frank who had an amazing balance in her performance.”

The event started on Friday, April 29 in Hereford before finishing on Sunday, with a group of local gymnasts from Cinderford stealing the show on the final day.

Organiser Sharon Chilcott, said: “The first weekend was particularly cold and we had some rain over last weekend in Monmouth but were finally really lucky with the weather this weekend.”

Wye Valley officer Andrew Blake added: “It has been great, the pyrotechnics in Llandogo were unbelievable, especially with the view looking down the Wye.

“To have the weather and so many people out is incredible, there have been stalls doing wood fire pizza’s which had such a tingling summer smell.”