WHALLEY was once again transformed into a Dickensian playground as hundreds gathered for the annual Pickwick Festival - despite atrocious weather.

The sights and sounds of Christmas past came alive at the 27th festival, which included an evening of entertainment with a variety of shops and businesses staying open late.

More than 40 stalls selling seasonal foods, gifts and games filled King Street, along with a pantomime performance, a Victorian Whalley exhibition, an 1870s model replica of the village and, of course, a visit from Father Christmas.

The event was opened by Preston North End footballer Joe Garner, who grew up in Whalley, and continued as planned despite some periods of torrential wind and rain.

Whalley councillor Joyce Holgate, honorary president of the Chamber of Trade, said : “I’ve been helping out with the Pickwick Festival for almost 20 years and, weather-wise, it was one of the worst I have seen.

“We’ve had snow in the past, but you just have to get on with it and everyone was absolutely amazing with their efforts and contributions.

“I’m so happy it has come this far.

“It went very well and everyone seemed to enjoy it. I couldn’t put a figure on how many went but there was a lot of people.”

The festival was threatening to fold in 2010 but hard work from the Whalley Chamber of Trade and members of the Pickwick Night committee raised £5,000 to keep it going.

Whalley councillor Terry Hill said: “The team did a fantastic job in terrible conditions. Having to prepare and set everything up with the weather would have been very difficult.”