THOUSANDS of people flocked to a market town over the weekend for the culmination of a week-long festival.

Thirsk Festival Gala was officially opened at midday on Saturday by Vale of York MP Anne McIntosh.

The two-day event was one of the highlights of the festival, which is in its sixth year and has raised nearly £100,000 for local good causes since it was launched.

This year's fair included a mass hot-air balloon lift-off, a flypast by vintage aircraft, a classic vehicle competition and a dog show.

Yesterday saw the carnival parade take centre stage, with the colourful floats making their way from the racecourse through the town.

Before opening the gala, Miss McIntosh paid tribute to the organisers.

She said: "Thirsk Festival is a marvellous event which helps to raise the profile of Thirsk and its many local community groups while helping to raise money to give back to organisations in need.

"I pay tribute to all the hard work put in by the Rotary Club of Thirsk to organise the festival.

"Last year's event won the prestigious best tourism project in Yorkshire and Humberside from Yorkshire Forward. I am sure the 2004 Festival will surpass even that."