HUNDREDS of visitors flocked to a Torfaen town over the weekend as a community group hosted its latest family-fun day.

The 'Love Pontypool' event, organised by Friends of Pontypool Town (FOPT) and Mother Earth Crafts , drew crowds across Saturday and Sunday with a host of activities including craft workshops, dance and live entertainment.

In the ethos of previous FOPT events — Pontypool’s Vintage Day and the Hallowe’en dance off — the event reflected the community group's aims of shining a positive light on Pontypool and its traders.

An estimated 400 visitors flocked to Pontypool on Saturday alone, sampling face painting, an interactive green screen and performances from the Amanda Ellis Street Fit dance group.

Childrens’ entertainer Mr Chips - sponsored by Pontypool’s Osbourne Lodge Nursery - was a hit with youngsters, while hairstyling and make up was provided business Rockabellas.

Co-organiser, Mother Earth Crafts, was also on hand to provide craft workshops and helped attract over 30 crafters to showcase their wares and techniques.

The festival atmosphere also extended to Crane Street Church in Pontypool which hosted craft-themed workshops and art displays / exhibitions by Pontypool’s Arts Club and Road Camera Club.

Chair of FOPT, Nikola Masters, said: “It was brilliant and there was so much support with people coming from further afield such as Newport and the Valleys.

“We had quite a few attractions and it was really fun. Every event is getting bigger and better organised and people are starting to realise that Pontypool is carrying out regular events.

“Our aim is to show people what’s available in Pontypool and to get them coming back.”

Art gallery 76m2, in Commercial Street, Pontypool, also tapped into the fun day's creative atmosphere by offering photography workshops with the artist behind their first show “Full Fathom Five”.

On the day, University of South Wales photography lecturer, Celia Jackson, encouraged visitors to have a try at pinhole photography — the technique used in her exhibition.

Community group Pontypool Park Friends also hosted a stall promoting their work, encouraging visitors to share their memories of the park.

Chairman of Pontypool Community Council, Jon Horlor, credited the organisers and the commitment from traders and Pontypool residents who “made the town a success again”.

“The market was so crowded I couldn't even get in to take pictures,” he said. “I enjoyed it immensely and the pleasure it gave the children dancing and their parents, grandparents and friends is what it was all about.

“It brought people into the town that may not have visited otherwise and hopefully showcased the town and its stallholders and shops.”

The FOPT was started with the mission of “making Pontypool town centre a vibrant, safe and attractive place to live, work and visit”.

The group meet on the first Tuesday of every month at Pontypool Tesco's cafe at 5.20pm.

For more information, search “Friends of Pontypool Town” on Facebook.