DESPITE the rain, Newport Transporter Bridge welcomed visitors to its fun day and fancy dress competition yesterday.

The family event came as part of efforts by charity Friends of Newport Transporter Bridge to attract as many visitors as possible to the bridge before it closes for the winter season.

The fun day, which started at 10am, featured face painting as well as a fancy dress competition. The theme was superheroes but visitors donned in a variety of costumes.

As the end of the summer season approaches, with the bridge due to close to tourists on Sunday, September 28, chairman of the FONTB David Hando said fun days are an important way of meeting visitor targets.

Mr Hando said: “The transporter bridge shuts in the winter so we have to make the most of the summer season.

“The fun day is a way of raising money for the maintenance of the bridge by encouraging more visitors to go across it.”