RAIN downpours failed to stop the show at Billingham Folklore Festival today.FRI,AUG14.

Dancers from around the world perform at the festival with thousands of people from the across the region attending and a show had been planned in the town's festival arena.

However the downpours caused organisers to change the plan and instead a street concert was held undercover in the town's West Precinct.

"Our dancers just want to perform and rain wasn't going to stop them" said artistic director of the festival, Olga Maloney, who was busy preparing for tonight's show the World Gala Dance Concert at Billingham Forum Theatre, usually the biggest show of the festival.

Ms Maloney, originally from Russia, said the early signs were that attendances were up this year. She said: "We still need to look at takings and so on, but I'm sure that we've had more people coming than last year. We've moved right to the middle of town which has got more people coming."

TomorrowSAT,AUG15 there will be a parade through the town centre 2pm followed by a Farewell Gala Concert in in the festival arena at 2.30pm and a Closing Ceremony in the same venue at 7.30pm.

Find out more at billinghamfestival.co.uk