Streams of red bunting brought a party feel to the sun-soaked streets of Saltaire as residents and traders threw open their doors for its seventh annual Arts Trail over the weekend.

Thousands of visitors buzzed in and out of a selection of the village’s historic workers’ cottages, which had their kitchens, living rooms, hallways and stairs transformed into exhibition spaces showcasing arts and crafts for the popular three-day festival.

Bingley-based painter Laura Ryder was one of 12 residents to hold an ‘open house’, with people gathering in her Mary Street home to see work by four artists, including watercolours by Jane Fielder.

The 34-year-old, who was taking part in the Saltaire Arts Trail for the first time this year, said: “There’s been a steady stream of people coming in and out and there’s been a brilliant atmosphere.

“It is a bit strange opening your home to people, but I like hosting people.

“I’ve had so many conversations and the response has been really positive.

“The sun has been shining and the atmosphere in general has been fantastic.”

Another, photographer Martin Priestley, opened his home on Titus Street for the fifth year in a row to exhibit his work.

He said: “It just gets bigger and bigger each year. The Saltaire Arts Trail is certainly making a reputation for itself and it’s become very well known.

“People just love looking around Saltaire, with its architecture and houses. I’ve also had a positive response to the artwork.”

As well as the open houses, visitors filled the village’s Victoria Hall for a makers’ fair, where more than 50 designer-makers sold and demonstrated their work.

The trail also saw more than 90 artists and makers from across the UK display woodwork, jewellery, textiles, glass, illustration, painting, mixed media, photography, ceramics, bookbinding, sculpture and printmaking.

Children took part in rocket-building workshops, constructed a space station and made glow-in-the-dark alien brains to take home in a host of ‘fly me to the moon’ inspired activities.

Many visitors could be seen following the trail on their smartphones for the first time, thanks to an Arts Trail App funded by the Arts Council.

“It’s been going very well, everything’s going to plan and everywhere’s nice and busy,” said Pam Lonsdale, trail co-ordinator.

“Had the weather been like it was on Friday things might not have been so good, but we’ve been blessed.

“It’s sunny – just like we ordered it!”