TRADITION was yesterday very much the theme in and around the streets of Bolton town centre as one of its most famous annual events got into full swing.

The Victorian Street Fair once again attracted hundreds of shoppers to its variety of charity stalls and entertainment.

Now a mainstay of the Bolton calendar, the street fair at Le Mans Crescent, always held on August Bank Holiday Monday, unites a massive range of charities, the town's churches and organisations.

More than £1 million has been raised during its 20-plus years existence by the variety of charities which have taken part.

And the tradition of keeping in costume continued this year with several organisations represented by members in full Victorian garb.

While the selection of town centre stores which opened yesterday looked distinctly quieter than normal, crowds piled into Le Mans Crescent to join in the fun.

Organisations which manned stalls included Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Kearsley Amateur Operatic Society, Community Education, Oxfam, Action for Children, Westhoughton Age Support, Bolton Hospice, the Samaritans and Derian House, among many others.

Tombolas, raffles, face painting, refreshments and the traditional home-made preserves and cakes were all on sale.

These, against the backdrop of a fun fair, made sure it was a day out for all the family to enjoy.