Cream of the crop for Mansfield's Garden and Craft Festival

The festival was organised by Mansfield’s business improvement district team and saw a number of competitions, marquees and craft stalls to mark the event, including a horticultural show and a baking competition.

And the BID team have hailed the event a “massive success”, and said preparations are already under way for next year’s festival.

Sue Rodgers, BID events coordinator, said: “The garden festival must be one of the most popular events we hold in the town, as so many people enjoy seeing all the vegetables and flowers on display.

“It has a great atmosphere bringing in families to participate in both competitions.

“On the Sunday, we cut up lots of the baking entries, which included cakes, pies, scones, jams and lots more for people to have a taste.”

The festival was well received by those who visited, with the BID team saying people had travelled from across the East Midlands to experience what the town has to offer.

Sue said: “It is an amazing event and surpassed expectation this year.

“People gave us positive comments – some from people who travelled to Mansfield just for the festival.

“Every year we have a family from Ironville for the baking competition and our exhibitors travelled from Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire and next year we have one coming from Wales.

“Mansfield BID has been working hard to promote the town as a destination place for all, and this event just showcases the true community spirit of Mansfield and all we attract to the town.”

The event also featured a food, craft and gift market, live entertainment and ended with an awards ceremony.

BID figures suggest Mansfield enjoyed a 25 per cent increase in footfall over the festival weekend.