BRIGHTLY coloured canal boats bedecked with flags cruised into Skipton's canal basin, drawing crowds of curious people.

The spectacular second Waterways Festival ran from Saturday to Monday, and attracted about 10,000 people.

Boat owners dressed in traditional costume and invited people aboard and even their dogs had a role to play with bandannas tied around their necks.

But there were not just pleasure boats on the canal. In total 120 boats including decorated heritage and working boats lined up, and trip boat Leo was kept busy taking visitors along the Springs Branch of the canal behind the castle.

The event appeared to have grown from last year's inaugural festival with more schools including Ings, St Stephen's and Aireville having stalls and Christ Church having a go at canalware painting.

More stalls were set up on the Promenade and traders have already said they are looking forward to coming back next year.

Linking with the waterways theme were stalls of canal boat art and decoration, boat upholstery, knot tying and information about the British Waterways.

In addition there were plants and flowers, an interpretative blacksmith and the ever-popular Corio Raptor birds of prey. Youngsters queued up to stroke the rescued owls Boo and Timone.

For the children jugglers and clowns drew cheers and applause and the area was filled with the sounds of the Caribbean steel band and Skipton Brass.

The Arcadia Players gave visitors a sneak preview of their forthcoming production of The Crucible and the Craven Flagcrackers delighted the crowds with their dancing.

Organiser Rebecca Sim, from British Waterways said: "The weekend was absolutely fantastic. It was a great atmosphere." She added that the festival was now a permanent fixture on the Bank Holiday weekend.

Competitions for the boaters continued throughout Saturday and the evening culminated in the boats being adorned with thousands of lights all competing for the best illuminated boat title.

Winners were: best dressed boat - Granrinms; best illuminated boat - Launer; best dressed couple Peter and Anne Holden off Leah; best engine room - Bart; cleverest dog - Katie off boat Hazel.