THE third Blackburn Canal Festival has been hailed as the best yet after crowds flocked to Eanam Wharf over the weekend.

Although the sun was only a brief visitor, the rain stayed away and families made the most of the warm, dry weather to visit the festival around the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

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With a funfair, boat trips and a stage with various acts performing over the weekend, there was plenty to keep the crowds entertained over the two days.

Joe Shorrock, 51, from Ramsgreave, took his two daughters, Isobel, 13, and Phoebe, eight, to the festival.

He said: “We came last year and there was nowhere near as much going on, we were parked close to the canal last year but now there are stands up here.

“There seems to be a lot more people here, it’s busy and a lot of those are families.

“The children have been having a great time, they really liked the singers.”

Jodie Murphy, 27, from Redlam, went to the festival with her children aged eight, four and six months.

She said: “It’s a good event to bring the children too, it’s always nice to have a good event going in Blackburn over the weekend.

“It’s definitely got bigger than last year, there seems to be more happening and more people here, so hopefully it will continue to grow.”

Canal enthusiasts Jacqui and Dave Allan, pensioners from Ashton-in-Makerfield, attend similar events across the North West.

Jacqui said: “It’s the first time we’ve been to Blackburn Canal Festival, we saw it online earlier in the week.

“It seems to be a good event, there’s lots of stalls and attractions here which is always important.”