Thousands of visitors poured through the gates at one of Dorset's quirkiest events.

The Dorset Knob Throwing and Food Festival made a comeback yesterday after taking a year off in 2018 - and it was a huge success.

The popular celebration at Kingston Maurward College saw visitors from around the country, as well as plenty of locals, try their hand at throwing the famous Dorset knob biscuit as far as possible.

Other activities included knob eating, knob putting, and knob painting.

People also queued at the many different stalls on offer while waiting to get their hands on some local food, drink and crafts.

Gary, Justine, Liz and Georgina Moorhouse, all from Chickerell, enjoyed a drink under sunny skies at the festival.

Justine said: "We're glad the rain has held off. We've been here before and we're regulars. "I enjoy watching the knob eating competition, and the pin-the-knob-on-the-giant.

"It's nice that there's something for everyone here, and really nice food."

As well as games and food stalls, youngsters could get their faces painted and take a look inside an ambulance, and there was even some festival merchandise on sale.

Mike Sharpling, from Weymouth, said: "We've had a go at knob throwing. I could have done with the wind behind me but it wasn't in my favour today.

"We've bought some Dorset knobs as well, it's the first time we've been here."

Caroline Beale, from Swanage, said she enjoyed watching the different events which took place around the festival, while enjoying some local food and dirnk.

Last year would have been the eleventh iteration of the event, but the relationship between Moores and the festival committee broke down and organisers decided to spend the last year building bridges with the biscuit manufacturer instead.

Now returning after that brief hiatus, the 2019 event, which ran from 10am until 4pm at the college, is thought to have been the biggest one yet, according to organisers.

Dorset Echo:

Successful year

Organisers celebrated another successful year for the much-loved festival.

As well as providing a whole day of fun for all ages, the event also helped out an important cause - Weldmar Hospicecare, its charity partner for 2019.

Ian Gregory, chairman of the Knob Throwing Festival committee, said: “People seem to be enjoying it, there’s a lovely atmosphere and beautiful weather for it. It’s absolutely perfect.

“We’ve got a nice, steady flow of people coming through.”

Mr Gregory predicted that within the first hour of the festival, around 2,000 people had already flocked through the gates.

He added: “I think this year is going to better than previous events.

“It helps when the weather works.”

Luke Rake, principal of Kingston Maurward College which hosted the festival for the second time, said: “The college is really pleased to be hosting the Dorset knob festival again.

“We work very closely with the Cattistock parish group and committee.

“The weather is fantastic today. For us, it’s a really good opportunity to showcase Dorset, and all the things that are good about it.

“There are people here from all over the country. Some said they were attracted to it because it is a local event, like the cheese rolling in Gloucestershire. It’s something quirky.”