CROWDS streamed into Priory Park on Sunday to support the Malvern Mayor's Bonanza.

The annual event was this year dedicated to supporting Malvern-based charity ARCOS, the Association for Rehabilitation of Communication and Oral Skills.

The charity, which this year celebrates its 25th birthday, is based close to the park, in Avenue Road, and provides therapy and support for people with communication and eating difficulties.

Lyndsey Davies, Malvern Town Council's office and operations coordinator, said the afternoon attracted between 500 and 1,000 people.

She said: "The park was pretty full even before the event started at 1pm, and there were still loads of people there when it finished at 6.30pm.

"We don't have a figure for how much money we raised, but everyone had a really good time. The stall-holders seemed to be very happy."

Mayor Cynthia Palmer said: "It was an excellent day for sitting in the sun, enjoying the music and visiting the stalls.

"I chose ARCOS as my charity for my second year in office, because although it's a small charity, it does very good work in helping adults as well as children."

Among the attractions on offer at the bonanza were fun activities including circus skills, face painting, vintage rides, arts and crafts, balloon modelling, bouncy castles, and an inflatable slide.

Kay Coombes, the founder of ARCOS, said: "We were delighted that it went so well. We had our own stall there and we had quite a lot of people coming up to find out more about what we do.

"Several said they wanted to call in and find out more, and a couple did call in the very next day."