Blaenavon marked its fifth World Heritage Day on Saturday and dozens of people took part in a colourful fancy dress showpiece parade through the town's packed streets.

Backed by the Blaenavon Town Band, Victorian characters rubbed shoulders with Second World War army officers and miners, and there were prizes for the best costumes.

Belly dancers and Morris dancers joined in, along with circus performers and Newport's Batatan samba group.

Blaenavon was awarded World Heritage status by Unesco in 2000, at a time when its streets were scarred with boarded up shops and broken windows.

The citation marks a turning point in the town's fortunes.

In 2003, it was unveiled as a booktown by one of the key movers behind Hay-on-Wye's success and the town's World Heritage Day has gone from strength to strength, according to organisers.

Visitors enjoyed live music, street entertainers, stalls and historical workshops.

Councillor Neil Lewis, Torfaen council's member for Blaenavon, was delighted with the turnout, despite the disappointing weather.

"It's been marvellous. It's a parade for the people, by the people, and I'm pleased with the way everyone has supported it," he said.

"It's a mark of how far the town has come," he added.

Peggy Stephens, 58, from Newman Road, Trevethin, agreed.

"I'm originally from Blaenavon and its lovely to see the town like this. It's really livened it up," she said.

The celebrations attracted interest from another World Heritage site - Iron Bridge, in Shropshire.

Co-ordinator Jonathan Lloyd, who watched the parade said: "We've been around much longer as a World Heritage site but there's a lot we can learn from Blaenavon in terms of community involvement.

"We are hoping to start something similar in Iron Bridge."

Work is well under way on Blaenavon's £2 million World Heritage site visitor centre, which will focus on the town's history.

And around 60 per cent of the town's buildings have undergone a revamp since World Heritage status was awarded, thanks to regeneration grants stumped up by the National Assembly.

"There's been a major transformation in the last few years, thanks to the council, traders, local people and the booktown," said bookseller Jo Wyborn.

* Blaenavon's Big Pit Museum recently scooped the prestigious £100,000 Gulbenkian Museum of the Year award - the largest single arts prize.