HUNDREDS of people gathered over the weekend to take part in the 'best ever' Chard Summer Festival.

The event took place across the town on Saturday and Sunday (July 21/22), offering something for everyone.

The annual event, which includes the Party in the Park, started from 9am on Saturday.

A street market lined Holyrood Street with an array of stalls, including lots of craft-based ones.

The festival's main event took place later in the day, with the traditional beacon lighting and more fun with live music in the evening.

Chard town councillor Jason Baker, who is also on the Chard Town Team, said: "The event gets better and better each year, and we definitely had better weather this year.

"We went from being rained out last year to being in the scorching sun this year.

"We had such a great turnout to all of the events, from the craft market on Saturday to Party in the Park on Sunday.

"A large crowd came to the beacon where there was live music and lots of children's activities before we lit the beacon at 10pm.

"There were around 50 stalls at the Party in the Park, each raising money for their own fantastic causes, as well as a schedule of fantastic entertainment."

Entertainment at Jocelyn Park included a 100ft assault course.

The event saw a busy programme of live music including performances from Goodnight Lois, Jack Humphries and Stevie and the Masqueraders, as well as live dance and entertainment performances from Enigma Border Morris, Kelly Lee Dance School and the majorettes.

The town team's next big event sees carnival clubs put on their best performance at the annual procession as part of the South Somerset Federation on Saturday, October 13 at 7.30pm.