IT MAY have been tipping down with rain last Friday but nothing could stop the crowds of garden enthusiasts pouring into the first Coombe Trenchard Arts and Crafts Garden Festival.

The event at Coombe Trenchard estate, opened by TV broadcaster and author Toby Buckland, was hailed a great success by estate owners Philip and Sarah Marsh.

'It was amazing and we have had some really really positive feedback,' said Mrs Marsh.

'The sun came out on Saturday and we had a huge amount of visitors.'

The festival was held in association with BBC Gardens Illustrated magazine and the Plant Heritage Devon Group and offered a range of specialist plant stalls.

All crafts, structures and sculptures were locally made from yurts and shepherds huts to ironwork, woodwork and a willow stag which took pride of place on the lawn and created a large amount of interest. Much of the craftwork was in the Arts and Crafts style.

There was music and refreshments and talks on gardening and conservation issues by a range of speakers including Toby Buckland and Brigit Strawbridge from the TV show 'It's Not Easy Being Green'.

One of the most popular exhibits was the keyhole self sufficiency garden by poverty in Africa charity 'Send a Cow' which will be used as a resource for local schoolchildren.

Mrs Marsh said the idea for the festival was born out of an appreciation for the quality of craftsmanship that has helped Coombe Trenchard — an Arts and Crafts house — survive the past decades without much attention.

She added that after the success of the weekend, the event would be repeated next year.