IT WAS a lovely day for Bispham with Norbreck Children's Gala -- apart from the rain and the roadworks!

A procession of colourful floats -- including entries from Moor Park and Bispham Endowed primary schools -- and visiting queens, set off from All Hallows gala field at 1pm and made its way through Bispham village, up Red Bank Road and along Norbreck Road.

But organisers say they were amazed to find part of the procession route on Norbreck Road had been dug up for roadworks.

Gala committee chairman Nick Hamilton blamed the roadworks on an "oversight" adding: "On Thursday night a company put traffic lights up on Norbreck Road and started doing work on the road. I had to get on to the council and the contractors to stop them working."

Mr Hamilton said the floats and children on foot managed to dodge raised manhole covers and the procession safely made its way back to the gala field -- but not before the weather had also had its say.

"Half way round the parade a fine drizzle started. There was a little bit of rain and a little bit of roadworks, but at the end of the day the kids seemed to enjoy themselves," he said. He also thanked Whiteholme Youth Club and the Air Training Corps for their help in marshalling the parade.

Later Blackpool's Mayor, Coun Sue Wright, crowned new gala queen Sarah Kirkham, from Bispham United Reformed Church, and welcomed new Prince Charming, Hannah Brown, in a crowning ceremony at 3.15pm.

Thornton Cleveleys gala queen won awards for the best float of a visiting queen, and overall best queen. And after the parade, hundreds of people flocked to enjoy the fun-fair and side stalls on the gala field.