CROWDS flocked to Hope Square and Weymouth harbourside to enjoy the second Fayre in the Square.

Held around the old harbourside in Hope Square and Trinity Road and billed as two days on non-stop family entertainment, Fayre in the Square left organisers overwhelmed for a second year running.

The festivities continue today and tomorrow.

The event is organised by the Rotary Club of Weymouth and was first held last year as a way of filling the gap left by the Trawler Race Day celebrations.

Dennis Corbett from the Rotary Club said: "Our first year was really successful; we had over 10,000 people over the two days and this year we are looking at about 15,000.

"We raised about £11,000 last year which was donated to about 18 differently local organisations – we give away every last penny."

Mr Corbett added: "The Hope Square area isn't as vibrant as it used to be.

"The Fayre reminds people, locals and tourists, of what there is on this side of the harbour.

"Sometimes there are as few as twenty people in the square.

"We really want to re-establish the way it was.

The event included live music, street theatre and dozens of stalls along the harbourside.

This year also saw the introduction of a grand tombola which received more than £2,500 worth of donations.

Speaking at the Fayre, Sarah Williams, 32 from Weymouth said: "It's really busy down here.

"The weather has held out for us and it looks as though it has been a great success again this year.

"It's for a brilliant cause and it’s a fantastic day out for the family.

"The children have loved getting their faces painted, having balloons made for them and seeing bands on the stage."

Daniel Clerk, 26 from Portland said: "It's just buzzing here today.

"We've got the Quayside Festival and Fayre in the Square which should make a really successful bank holiday weekend for the town."

The event also saw performances from Darron Garnett, a UK wide vocalist and entertainer alongside Dorset For Singing and the Dorset Wrecks.

Nick Moss, from the Fudge Factory stall said: "It's nice to see so many people down here.

"It's a great day and it's good for all the business along this side of the harbour, like the pubs and cafes."

The Rotary Club will be hosting a meeting on June 4 to tally all the money and work out how much will be donated to local good causes and local charities before hosting a party to donate the cheques on June 26.