Locals and visitors enjoyed colourful fun in the sun this weekend thanks to a flower-themed event before Mother’s Day.

The Ivybridge Primrose Festival took place on Saturday and saw crowds flock to the town centre in glorious weather.

The festival harked back to the tradition of primrose picking at Stowford paper mill in the last century.

Many town centre shops were decorated with primroses, balloons and event posters, with an outdoor ’flower and plant-themed sale’ at The Watermark.

Much of the action was concentrated in Glanvilles Mill, where further stalls were on offer along with a fascinating display of memorabilia from the primrose era put on by Ivybridge Heritage Group. There was also lively music from the Queens Dock Ukelele Band, and children were offered free primroses to give as a Mother’s Day gift.

Ivybridge Chamber of Commerce chairman Pat White said: "It went really really well, lots of people came into town and really enjoyed it. They learnt a lot about the history from all the information the heritage group had on display.

"I think the group got a lot out of it as well, and found more people who remembered the primroses in the past. We had two elderly ladies who used to pick and pack the flowers come down and open the day for us.

"The ukelele band were absolutely fabulous, they had people singing and clapping along. Mike Starks the artist gave us a wonderful picture to sell.

"It was a lovely day, a good atmosphere with lots of people around and a good buzz."

Pat said organisers had so far counted £280 raised for Ivybridge Foodbank as a result of the festival. The chamber is now turning its attention to the next event for the town, the Spring Fete on Saturday, April 22 in association with Miss Ivy Events.