THE most pungent event on the Isle of Wight's calendar — the Garlic Festival — came up roses at the weekend.

Despite having atrocious weather thrown at the field in the days leading up to it, by some miracle it avoided the worst of it, and the field even stayed free of mud —m to the relief of the organisers.

Numbers were down slightly but still in their thousands, and the event went off without a hitch.

Festival chairman David Holmes said: "It was a fantastic success despite the challenges of the weather.

"We managed to avoid mud and the ground held up. Everyone showed indomitable spirit.

"Over all we were delighted as it is always nice to see thousands raised for charities and good causes, and people having a good time.

"The highlights were the Motown show on Sunday which was an afternoon of real fun, and the Seagull Project children's entertainers who were a real success.

"We are hoping to have them back next year." Dates for 2020 have been set for August 15 and 16.