A pumpkin festival in a mid Wales town has been hailed a ‘brilliant success’, with the high street being the busiest it’s been in years.

Great Oak Street in Llanidloes was pedestrianised over the weekend to make space for a day of pumpkin-themed celebration with a host of activities.

One of the organisers, Joe Arrowsmith from the Wilderness Trust, said: “Great Oak Street was the busiest that its been in years and many market traders had the best takings they’d had ever.

“During the morning we estimate that the festival was visited by up to 300 people.

“The evening lantern procession was so well attended that Great Oak Street was a heaving with people.

“Some estimates of 1,000 people, certainly at least 500 in total.

“Samba band led the procession and had everyone dancing and enjoying the atmosphere.

“A fire display after the procession amazed onlookers. The Sunday was a much more laid back affair, free pumpkin soup was served by The Wilderness Trust and a ceremony was held by Severn Porte to say goodbye to loved ones lost during the pandemic/to set intentions for how we wish to proceed into the future.”

The Wilderness Trust plans to help organise the festival next year and will be holding a Pumpkin Festival Committee meeting once we are able to open The Hanging Gardens Project to the public.

Joe added: “The Wilderness Trust would like to thank the whole community for supporting the festival, and especially to thank the volunteers that worked so hard to make the festival happen.”