Crowds descended on the Imperial Recreation Ground last weekend for the Rotary Club Kite Festival.

Crowds descended on the Imperial Recreation Ground last weekend for the Rotary Club Kite Festival.

The event was held on Saturday and Sunday, and organisers believe more than 8,000 people may have visited over the two days.

Spectators saw a range of kites flown by national and international teams, including five time UK champions Team Flame, and team Sky Symphony, which performed displays synchronised with orchestral music.

The festival also saw a host of amateur flyers taking to the skies, including Exmouth Mayor Sandy Sutton and teams from local schools.

This was the fifth year of the festival, and the final fundraising total is not yet known, but organisers are hoping that having raised �42,000 in the first four years, this year’s total will take them past �50,000 overall.

The money raised will be going towards Children’s Hospice South West, the Devon Air Ambulance Trust, Water Aid and Help Our Wounded, as well as a selection of local charities.

The Rotary Club’s Mike Weathrall-King said: “We had a very successful weekend with lots of visitors, both holidaymakers and residents alike.

“Saturday had glorious weather and, while Sunday’s weather wasn’t quite as good, we were pleased with the number of people who turned up. We’re hoping we might have raised �10,000.”

The Kite Festival had opened on Friday night with a concert from soul band Joey the Lips.

The Lips were supported by Sound of the Sirens and a host of local youth bands, and nearly 2,000 people attended.