THE unseasonable rain affected the attendance but did not dampen the spirits of those that turned out for the third annual Woodland Festival, at Eastnor Castle, last weekend.

The castle grounds were the setting for the event, which featured the Heavy Horse Loggers UK Championships, tree felling demonstrations, tours of the arboretum and around 80 individual exhibitors.

Sunshine on Saturday brought in the crowds but Sunday's downpour did deter some, according to the castle's sales and marketing manager Ben Leeke.

"It absolutely tipped it down," he said. "We would have had twice the numbers if it had been sunny on both days.

"Working with wood in the wet isn't good but the overall attendance was up on last year and the exhibitors always enjoy it."

Visitors to the event also enjoyed watching chainsaw sculpture, tree surgeons, furniture makers and coppice workers.

"It's such a varied show," said Mr Leeke. "It's got such a variety of people and different practices. It gives the castle a sort of olde worlde feel and the heavy horses are always great."

Mr Leeke said he hoped that the event would continue to grow next year.

"It's a popular show, we just want to reach more people with it. It's the third year, so it's quite a young show for us. If you're into wood, it's got a very good reputation."