MORE than 5000 people attended the first Carnival Weekender in Penarth during which they saw the world's first high wire walk over 200m of water to a pier.

The two day event organised by Penarth Town Council formed part of this year's Penarth Summer Festival and included music and fireworks on the Friday (July 14) before stalls and activities on the seafront on the Saturday (July 15) including a circus with tight rope walking on the pier.

The organisations involved included Splatch, Penarth Circus and NoFitState Circus, with funding from Penarth Town Council and Vale of Glamorgan Council.

The RAF Falcons were supposed to put on a display but had to cancel due to weather conditions.

However they remained on the seafront at their stall ready to speak with passers by and tell them more about their activities.

The event included live music on the Friday night presented by Bethan Elfyn including performances from Into the Ark (The Voice Finalists 2017), Junior Bill, Ofelia and Rachel K Collier, and a DJ set by GRL TLK.

There was food and drink from local traders, and circus street shows to enjoy and the firework finale at just after 10pm.

On the Saturday, entertainment was provided on The Esplanade and Kymin, where there were Skate Workshops, Live Entertainment, Circus Shows, Stalls, Petting Zoo, Story Sessions, Aircraft Demonstrations and more.

Thousands attended the Downhill Derby the previous weekend and more than five thousand visited the two days of the Carnival Weekender.

The town council, which organised the event, says it wanted to spread out events and try out new things having listened to feedback from previous years.

A spokesman for the town council said: "We want to provide more exciting, accessible opportunities for the people of Penarth to take part in and provide more opportunities for people to visit.

"Sights such as excited faces hurtling downhill to huge cheers, mass dancing on the seafront with a spectacular backdrop of fireworks and hundreds of engaged children at the Kymin will live long in the memory not to mention the buzz at the incredible circus display on the Pier and the astonishing sight of the world’s first high wire walk over 200m of water to a Pier."

The council says it is again keen to listen from feedback and improve the event for the town.

Town Mayor, Cllr Ken Lloyd said: "Huge thanks to all our partners who helped make this year’s festival so special.

"We wanted to try new ideas and create more events for the town.

"Between the Downhill Derby and the two days of the Carnival Weekender, we’ve seen some spectacular sights, and a lot of fun has been had.

"Most of all, thanks to the people of Penarth for getting involved – whether organising or simply having a good time – These are the people who make this a special place to live."