FOLK enthusiasts from far and wide flocked to the 24th Dartmoor Folk Festival held at South Zeal last weekend.

The event, founded by local musician the late Bob Cann, was officially opened by Anthony Gibson, South West regional director of the NFU.

Mr Gibson was invited to perform the opening in recognition of his work for the farming industry and rural communities during the foot and mouth crisis. He was presented with an inscribed tankard by Joyce Cann, who is president of the association which organises the event each year.

Mrs Cann said: 'It was an excellent festival, really an outstanding success.

'It certainly cheered us up a bit after foot and mouth disease.'

She said she was 'really proud' that her great-grandson, seven-year-old Thomas White, joined the Dartmoor Pixies on stage for the grand finale.

'He is following in the family footsteps and Bob would have been really proud too,' she said.

Those who attended the three-day festival enjoyed a varied programme of entertainment including concerts, workshops, dances, a ceilidh, crafts displays, dance championships, song and music sessions, a folk service at South Tawton church and a ramble over Dartmoor.

Some of the top names in folk music were on the bill, including Jez Lowe, Pete and Sue Coe with Alice Jones, Old Hat, Graham O'Callaghan, the Dartmoor Pixie Band and Rosie Stewart.

Nine-year-old Georgia Riches of London won the Dartmoor Broom Dance competition. She had learnt the skill in a morning workshop, picking up tips on the way from her grandmother Kath Matthews, who is a member of the Cogs and Wheels dance team.

Runner-up was Isabelle Tilley, of South Zeal.

Rosie Richie, aged 11, of Thaxted in Essex, won the junior Dartmoor Step Dancing competition for the second year running, performing on a board just 15in square.

The senior champion was Jason Rice of Copplestone, the festival chairman.

Jason said the festival had gone 'really well'.

'A lot of people came along. The weather wasn't perfect but it wasn't too bad and plenty of people came along to the grand opening to listen to Anthony Gibson and Tony Beard.'

Jane White, festival secretary, said: 'It was a fabulous weekend and it is such a tribute to Bob.'