PEOPLE in Blaenavon community refused to let the rain dampen their spirits as nearly 1,000 lined the streets to celebrate the town's World Heritage Day.

Despite heavy rain, and a last-minute meeting to decide if Saturday's highlight - the costume parade - would go ahead, children and adults put on a brave face to mark Blaenavon's proud industrial past.

The giant papier maché animals, which included bulls and pit ponies, may have been a little wet by the end of the parade but they certainly made a spectacular impression on the crowds huddled under umberellas on the pavements.

The 300-strong procession was led by the original Chitty Chitty Bang Bang vehicle, closely follwed by drummers, musicians, dancers and the Blaenavon Town band.

Other events throughout the day included a host of bands, street performers and dancers to entertain the crowds, with many of the attractions moved from outdoors to the Blaenavon Workmen's Club.

Among the many clowns, mime artists and craft stalls, locals managed to keep smiling as the rainfall refused to let up.

After the parade, comedian Mike Doyle entertained a large audience with his unique brand of comedy.

Despite numbers being down on last year due to the atrocious weather, organiser Rebecca Hartley said the event had carried on as normal.

"We are really lucky we have the Workmen's Club so we could move things inside. Everyone was brilliant in making sure it all went ahead."

Fellow organiser Cath Thomas added: "The people in Blaenavon are made of stern stuff so a bit of rain wasn't a problem."

The celebrations marked Blaenavon's status as a World Heritage site, which was awarded by UNESCO in 2000.