WATERPROOFS and wellies may have been the order of the day but the rain did not stop Gwent residents from attending the many events in the county yesterday.

Stallholders at Caldicot's spring fair braved the unfavourable conditions to begin setting up at 8am, with the annual event getting underway at lunchtime.

People trickled in to the town's country park for a day of entertainment, headed by several bands, including winners of Chepstow's Battle of the Bands, Scary Door.

Caldicot Motorcycle Club brought their vehicles along to perform 'start-ups' for the crowd and people had access to a number of stalls clustered at the town venue.

Vicky Blyth, 33, brought her daughter Lucy, five along for the day.

She thought the event might have been cancelled, as in other years due to the weather, but was pleased it went ahead as planned.

"We're going to make the most of it," she said.

One act not minding the rain was fire eater and juggler, Zak Powell, who travelled from the Forest of Dean.

The 18-year-old, who learned his skill by joining a circus at a young age, said the wetter weather was safer for him to perform in.

Elsewhere in Gwent, around 2,500 people attended Tredegar House's Pirates Day.

Children donned fancy dress costumes and took part in a number of fun activities, including throwing balls at willing participants, according to events coordinator Clare Mullen.

She said: "Today is aways one of our most popular days out. It doesn't cost a lot and it's suitable for both wet and dry days."

People also braved the rain at Blaenavon Railway's fun day, but those hoping to attend Cornonation Kennel's Newport dog fun day were not so fortunate, as the charity day was lost to the weather.