Lichfield Greenhill Bower Festival returns - in photos

Moody weather couldn't stand in the way of the annual community festival, which is one of the oldest regular events in Lichfield and remains a staple in the city's calendar.

Huge crowds gathered on Bank Holiday Monday for the procession through the city while there were also street performers, stalls and a party in Beacon Park.

The poor weather did eventually hit the celebrations, with rain forcing a lot of revellers to end festivities early, but not before traditional events such as the procession through Lichfield for the new Bower Queen, who this year was Harriet Chatwin.

At Beacon Park, there were rides, dog shows, food stalls and live entertainment to keep crowds busy.

Lily Fawdrey, organiser of the events at Beacon Park, said: "We had an excellent day, thousands of people came out to enjoy themselves and it is always special to see such a large crowd in the city..

"It is just one of those events that attracts everyone around here, it is so steeped in history and always such good fun.

"We get so many people who have left Lichfield over the years and moved elsewhere coming back just for this, so it gives the town a boost too.

"Unfortunately, we were hit by the rain at around 2.30pm, so that did put a dampener on things, but luckily we had already done quite a lot in the sunshine."

Armed police were also seen at the event, with Staffordshire Police on high alert following last weeks terrorist attack in Manchester.

Fortunately, the event passed without incident.

Ms Fawdrey said: "Everyone just got together and had a good time, there was no trouble but we understand that armed police had to be sent out as a precaution.

"I think the visitors understood that too and it was fine."

The Bower dates back to the 12th Century when King Henry II was on the throne at time when England had no standing army.

As a result he set up a Commission of Arraye to muster all able-bodied men between 16 and 60 at gatherings around the country.

In Lichfield the Courtes of Arraye, as it was known, was held on Whit Monday at Greenhill where Bower House was located.

This soon evolved into all of the men being paraded around the streets of the city accompanied by the Lichfield Morris dancers.

When England had a standing army under James II Courts of Arraye were abolished in 1690 around the country except in Lichfield where residents continued with the event because they enjoyed Bower Day so much.