CROWDS were dancing in the streets as a fun-packed weekend of festival fever got underway.

There was music at every turn in Herne Bay town centre as bands defied gloomy weather forecasts to entertain shoppers with everything from a brass band to psychedelic folk in the form of Canterbury group Syd Arthur.

Dance troupes also ensured feet were tapping along the seafront with breathtaking displays of street dance, roller skating and aerial trapeze routines.

Organisers transformed the outside edge of the bandstand into a stage for some of the acts as well as setting up performance areas by the clock tower and in William Street.

Liz Flynn, events officer for Canterbury City Council, which organised the festival, said: "The acoustic bandstand seemed to work quite well and the bands all really enjoyed it – but some people said they did miss sitting in the bandstand itself watching the music.

"It was a bit of an experiment this year so we'd be interested in feedback about what people thought."

Elsewhere, more than 200 cars packed the town centre for a classic car show, including the iconic KITT car from David Hasselhoff's show Knightrider.

Town co-ordinator Chris West said: "KITT was the star of the show and attracted a lot of attention, with middle-aged men posing next to the car for photos, dreaming they were David Hasselhoff.

"Thousands of people attended throughout the day, making it one of Herne Bay's most successful one day events."

A colourful parade and fantastic fireworks display rounded off the opening day, before the crowds returned to catch crabs on Sunday from Herne Bay pier.

Rain meant numbers were down on previous years and some of the outside events suffered, but festival fans braved the downpours for the fun day at Cherry Orchard, Herne.

Liz added: "We had a fantastic weekend despite the rain and it was great to see so many people having so much fun.

"We've had so many positive comments and we're looking forward to the rest of the week and the weekend with plenty of fun still to come."

In the line-up are the Screen on the Green – free films showing on a big screen in the Memorial Park, and Rock Around the Clock on Saturday, noon to 8.30pm – a day of live music featuring the winner of the Herne Bay Rocks talent competition as well as Canterbury schoolboy singer Luke Jackson, city band Five Floors Up, Arthur Kay and the Originals and headliners Motown Gold.

Another fireworks display will take place from the seafront on Saturday evening, and on Sunday there's a giant family picnic in the Memorial Park as well as displays from the town's Sea Cadets and a talent show in the bandstand.

For full listings, see www.hernebayfestival.co.uk