RAIN failed to dampen the spirits of thousands of people who joined together to celebrate the best of Herefordshire's gastronomy and aviation.

Around 5,500 people made the trip to Shobdon's Food and Flying Festival – the amalgamation of Herefordshire Aero Club's annual aviation showpiece and the long-running Shobdon Food Festival.

More than 50 food and drink exhibitors – predominantly from Herefordshire – were joined by around 50 craft exhibitors.

In the skies, the centrepiece was fly-pasts by two of the most famous and recognisable airframes in history – the Hurricane and Spitfire –in conjunction with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

There was also entertainment from the Hereford Big Band as well as the Jump4Heroes Parachute Display Team.

Organiser of the event, Matt Teale, said: "It went very well. We were slightly dampened on Sunday afternoon but we got away with it.

"I would say we had about 5,500 people come along. It has grown and grown from a very small event 12 years ago to this and for a village of our size it's quite an undertaking.

"We had more exhibitors than ever on the food and crafts front."

Proceeds from the volunteer-run event are split equally between the hosts, Herefordshire Aero Club, and the Shobdon Food Festival, which has been going since 2005.

All profits go to local charities and good causes.