The heavens opened but Harden Children's Gala wasn't a washout on Saturday.

The 29th gala featured floats and fancy dress in a procession led by the Hebden Bridge Brass Band.

There were children's races as well as a coconut shy, water splash, hoop-la and greasy pole.

Gala Committee member Peter Bashforth said: "Last Friday when the heavens opened and the skies emptied we were very anxious as to the effect the rain and England's World Cup game would have on our gala.

"Fortunately, apart from two short showers the weather was kind to us and England did their bit by winning without the need for extra time.

"As a result, though the procession was witnessed by a below average crowd and the numbers on the field initially were lower than usual, the crowd built up later on.

"And perhaps helped by the sunshine, they stayed in greater numbers to the end of the gala.

"It was therefore another very successful gala and the obvious enjoyment of the children particularly and their parents was reward for the committee and their helpers and made all the hard work worthwhile."

CHILDRENS RACES

Running: Boys - U5, 1 Andrew Petyt, 2 Adam Forks, 3 Andrew Roberts. 5 yrs, 1 George Brown, 2 George Brown, 3 Sam Holdsworth. 6 yrs, 1 Harry Petyt, 2 Nathaniel Langan, 3 Kyle Bostock. 7 yrs, 1 William Blackhall, 2 James Glennon, 3 Sam Hind. 8 yrs, 1 Oliver Nunwick, 2 Liam Day, 3 Thomas Jagger. Girls - U5, 1 Violet Kaye, 2 O Brown, 3 Georgina Disney. 5 yrs, 1 Rhiannon Barrow, 2 Abigail Jones, 3 Ailsa Graham. 6 yrs, 1 Rebecca Irons, 2 Grace Bottomley, 3 Rosalie Dark. 7 yrs, 1 Kitty Hammond, 2 Rebecca Stordy, 3 Amy Czuba. 8 yrs, 1 Alex Smith, 2 Leanne Brumby, 3 Lucy Walker.

Potato & Spoon: Boys - 1 Liam Day, 2 Alex Homer, 3 William Blackhall. Girls - 1 Lucy Walker, 2 Bryony Plews, 3 Ailsa Graham.

Sack: Boys - U9, 1 William Blackhall, 2 Alex Homer, 3 Lawrence Blienko. 9-12yrs, 1 James McWhinney, 2 Miles Brown, 3 Matthew Wilson. Girls - U9, 1 Alex Smith, 2 Lucy Walker, 3 Bryony Plews. 9-12 yrs, 1 Emily Shaw, 2 Sarah Etherington, 3 Stephanie Clegg.

Wheelbarrow: Boys - 1 Joe Hind and Tim Sale, 2 Matthew Wilson and Thomas Kirk, 3 George Legge and Miles Brown. Girls - 1 Emily Shaw and Emmeline Gerdes, 2 Katie Scull and Fay Hammond, 3 Alice Waterhouse and Francesca Scantlebury.

Three Legged: Boys - 1 Joe Hind and Tim Sale, 2 Matthew Wilson and Matthew Halliday, 3 James McWhinney and Lawrence Blienko. Girls - 1 Emily Shaw and Emmeline Gerdes, 2 Rose Shaw and Samantha Dalton, 3 Amy Scaife and Sarah Etherington.

Caterpillar Races (teams of 4): Boys - George Legge, James McWhinney, Corey Woodhouse, Lawrence Blienko. Girls - Louise Bashforth, Sarah Thompson, Katie Scull, Fay Hammond.

Caterpillar Cup: Winning boys team v winning girls team, won by the Girls.

FLOATS AND FANCY DRESS

Floats: 1 Harden Congs Youth Club - Harry Potter, 2 Harden Primary School - The Jubilee, 3 Harden Players - The Best Year of Your Life.

Walking Tableaux: 1 Harden Mother and Toddler - The Emergency Services, 2 Jack Mettrick - Soldier, 3 Holly Dobson, James Dobson, Joshua Pearson, Matthew Pearson - Peter Pan's Gang.

Fancy Dress: Girls, 1 Amy Gaye and Hannah Luxford - Bill and Ben, 2 Sarah Thompson, Louise Bashforth, Katie Scull - Cheerleaders, 3 Samantha Dalton - Fairy.

Decorated Cycle: 1 James Wilson.

Decorated Pram: 1 Amber Pianforini.

Gala queen Sarah Haley, 10, (above) tries the hoop-la at Harden gala