Thousands of people enjoyed entertainments ranging from medieval battles to karaoke in the sunshine at Borehamwood's Meadow Park during Families Day.

The event on Saturday, which brought the curtain down on the 46th annual Town Festival, featured around 40 stalls, as well as children's attractions, displays and competitions.

One of the highlights was the show by the Medieval Mayhem Company in the main arena, which included people in costume jousting, axe-fighting, wrestling and fire-throwing.

The crowds also gathered around to watch the actor Ricky Groves, who plays Garry Hobbs in EastEnders, on the football pitch trying to save penalties taken by young players.

Town Mayor Ernie Butler, speaking on the day, said: "It has been a brilliant turn-out and the weather has been really kind I have met some lovely people."

The town council, which runs the two-week festival, had been concerned about torrential rain on Friday evening, and several stallholders pulled out because of the downpour.

But the sun came out on Saturday afternoon, and among the most popular attractions were the medieval display, the football competition and Mr Topper's children's roadshow.

Many stalls attracted a lot of attention, including the one run by Boreham Wood Youth FC, which set up a penalty shoot-out contest, with prizes for young entrants.

Pat Cass, the club's chairman, said: "This gives us the chance to give something to the community and the penalty shoot-out is a bit of fun for the kids."

Players from Boreham Wood Youth, which has held a stall at Families Day for the past 25 years, helped sell refreshments on the day to raise money for the club.

The International Christian Fellowship, which has a church in Manor Way, had a bouncy castle, a karaoke tent and a book giveaway, and raised money for the Hertsmere Homeless project.

Pastor Patrick Bateman said: "I am very pleased with the good turn-out this is the first time we have come here and I think we will do it again."

Young visitors were also excited about being able to climb aboard a Scimitar armoured vehicle, part of a display hosted by the army's 9/12th Lancers Regiment.

Sgt Jes James said: "We have come here as part of our recruiting campaign and, with the kids climbing onto the vehicle, it encourages them to take an interest in the army."

Next to the armoured vehicles was an archery show, given by the Medieval Mayhem Company, where boys and girls were coached by people in contemporary costumes.

Stalls were hosted by a variety of local and national organisations, including the Air Training Corps, the British Red Cross, Saluki Rescue and the 7th Borehamwood Scouts.

Peter Green, from Tempsford Avenue, who visited Familes Day with his two-year-old daughter, Caitlin, said: "It has been good they should do more things like this for the public."

Trish Barnes, from Aycliffe Road, who was there with her granddaughter, said: "This does bring the community together people put a lot of effort into the show and it is appreciated."

The six-a-side football competition was won by a team from The Venue leisure centre, who played against a side from St Albans.