A torrential downpour hit the traditional procession of morris dancers at this year’s Tenterden Folk Festival on Saturday.

Minutes before hundreds were due to set off up Tenterden High Street, the heavens opened.

Only around six of the 40 groups booked braved the weather to take part, many of the dancers just walking with their costumes covered by raincoats and plastic ponchos.

Festival director Alan Castle said: “It was such a shame and a big let down. The rain came at the worst possible second.

“We had a phone conference just before the procession and decided to go ahead and the dancers were all ready when the heavens opened.

“By the time those that did take part had finished they were blue with cold, but were determined to finish.”

Mr Castle said that with fewer crowds on the streets, festival takings on Saturday were down.

“We normally get about £1,000 from street collections, but will not be near that,” he said.

“Some of the door takings were up so we should have covered our costs. Overall it was a very successful festival.”

The four-day festival opened on Thursday night and by contrast, glorious weather on Friday and Sunday brought out the crowds.

For the first time on Friday, there was a flashmob of sea shanty singing around the town hall, to the surprise and delight of unsuspecting shoppers.

Mr Castle said: “On Sunday, there were more people around than we have had before on a Sunday with 12 dance teams staying to perform.”

There were also workshops, meet the musician sessions, a craft fair, concerts and a barn dance.

For full roundup, see Thursday’s Tenterden Kentish Express.