THOUSANDS flocked to the second Festival in the Forest for a weekend of family fun.

There was everything from music, arts and crafts workshop, and the chance to learn circus skills. Local musicians, including Sophie Cotterell, entertained 7,000 festival-goers who enjoyed a day strolling in the sunshine around the grounds at Whitemead Forest Park in Parkend.

James Robertson, head of marketing at CSMA Club, said: "It is fantastic to see that so many people came out again this year to enjoy everything the festival has to offer. Whitemead is a fantastic place, so to be able to share it with so many people this weekend, and to see all the kids having a great time and to be thoroughly entertained was really special."

Also present were The Foresters' Forest, which is a heritage lottery-funded landscape partnership programme, who aim to raise awareness of what makes the Forest of Dean special in terms of its built, natural and cultural heritage.

Programme manager, Sue Middleton said: "There are opportunities now to volunteer for wildlife surveys, archaeological surveys and a range of other forthcoming projects. As there is training for each type of survey method, this might help develop skills which could be useful for work experience or just increasing your knowledge and understanding of the Forest. For more details call 01594 822073."