Thousands of people made the most of their bank holiday weekend in Birmingham with a visit to the annual Lord Mayor's Show.

The free festivities on offer at the show, which took place at Cannon Hill Park in Edgbaston yesterday and Sunday, included live music, a funfair, an inflatable army assault course, cookery demonstrations, sports arena, children's entertainment, an arts and crafts marquee, dog and falconry displays and dance exhibitions.

The show welcomed in the new Lord Mayor, Councillor John Hoon, who will be raising money for the Royal National Institute for the Blind, Acorn Children's Hospice, the Women's Campaign and the Leonard Cheshire Trust.

It was also an occasion to bid a fond farewell to outgoing Lord Mayor Coun Mike Nangle, who has spent a year raising money for Cancer Research UK, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the Fireside Day Centre.

Two days of top entertainment included UB40 tribute band Rat in the Kitchen, ABBA UK, Kevin Plant as Elvis, and a performance by Carol Decker of T'Pau.

Coun Hood, who joined in the fun, said: "As well as being a great fun day out for all of the family, the Lord Mayor's Show also provides a fantastic opportunity to support worthwhile charities across Birmingham.

"Of course, it's also a wonderful way of enabling me to meet thousands of local citizens as they enjoy the host of entertainments and activities on offer."