City Show in West Park beats the rain and mud

Organisers spent hours before the event opened spreading straw on parts of the park that had been left sodden after heavy downpours.

But the unseasonal weather didn't keep away the crowds, with 35,000 flocking to the two-day weekend event.

Highlights included a non-stop arena show, giant funfair and trade stalls.

Married couple Viki and Scott Williams, from Willenhall, took their two-year-old son Charlie along to see the monster trucks. Nurse Mrs Williams, aged 32, said: "We've had a great time. Charlie was so excited to see the monster trucks."

Mr Williams, 29, a police officer based in Birmingham, added: "There is just a great atmosphere, despite all the mud."

Friends Saxon Murray, 22, and Shalyn Hughes, 17, were also keen to see the main arena show. City of Wolverhampton College student Miss Hughes, from The Lunt in Bilston, said: "The whole city has turned out for it. There is so much to see and do."

Mr Murray, who lives in Mills Crescent, All Saints, added: "The best bit is the monster truck display."

Kyla Garratt, aged five, mother Lisa and grandmother Susan, from Moxley, were armed with pink brollies. Kyla said:?"It has been excellent."

The arena show included Gerard Naprous and the Devil's Horsemen, one of Europe's leading horse masters, stuntmen and stunt co-ordinators.

And international motorcycle stunt team James Dylan's Stunt World wowed the crowds.

Mark Blackstock, manager of the Civic Hall which organises the annual event, said: "We had to battle a bit with the weather but it didn't rain as much as we thought it would.

"We had 35,000 people here over the two days. Lots of people left happy and with smiles on their faces."