Dreadful weather and the credit crunch didn’t spoil the fun at this year’s Tenterden Folk Festival.

Despite Sunday’s persistent downpours, crowds poured in.

Local hotels were booked up months in advance and music events were sold out.

Alan Castle, festival director and trustee of the Tenterden Folk Day Trust, said: “I think people wanted a final fling before the winter sets in and the festival season is over.”

The three-day town centre festival kicked off on Friday evening with a Welcome Barn Dance at Tenterden Club.

Friday evening events were indoor, so untouched by weather, and dry spells on Saturday kept outdoor activities thriving.

Demand for the Saturday evening concert at the High Street’s White Lion pub was so overwhelming that last visitors had to be turned away.

The nearby Woolpack pub was also filled to the brim for the sea songs and shanties afternoon on Saturday.

Sunday’s miserable weather meant far fewer stalls were put up and many morris dancers were unable to perform outdoors.

But overall attendance during the weekend maintained the event’s average of more than 2,000 people.

For full story and more pictures, see Thursday's Kentish Express.