Last weekend saw thousands of people descend on Rochester for the annual Sweeps Festival.

Morris dancers, people dressed as chimney sweeps and folk performers flocked to the city over the bank holiday weekend.

The 38th Sweeps Festival swept up visitors back to a time when the chimney sweeps downed their tools and had some fun.

The fanfare traditionally took place on May 1, with a procession being held through the streets of Rochester.

This year, visitors enjoyed seeing Morris dancers fill the streets, while others dressed in costumes.

People could also enjoy a fun fair at the historic Rochester Castle.

Other attractions include a folk-art and psychic fair, a children’s fun fair, real-ale tent and a licensed bar in Rochester Castle Gardens.

Cllr Howard Doe, Medway Council’s portfolio holder for community services, said: “We were pleased to welcome thousands of families to Rochester for the Sweeps Festival last weekend.

"The festival is one of the largest traditional May Day celebrations of its kind.

"We welcomed more than 60 Morris sides from far and wide who travelled to Rochester to perform.

"There was fun for all the family including a children’s funfair, a local produce fair, a real ale tent and a vegan fair.”

For more photos from this year's Sweeps Festival, pick up a copy of this week's Medway Messenger, out tomorrow.

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