Ashby's Coronation Party in the Park attracted an estimated 5,000 people to the Bath Grounds on Sunday - far more than was expected.

It is thought to be the largest gathering at the historic town centre venue for a council-organised event.

Ashby de la Zouch Town Council put on an afternoon of live music, magic, entertainment as well as food and drink.

It was free to attend and many took advantage of the fine weather - with people bringing their own chairs or picnic blankets.

Ashby Town Council clerk, Jack Fargher, said the popularity of the event was a great showcase for the town.

He said: "I'd say we've seen at least 5,000 people here, we weren't expecting this many and it's the biggest event I've seen on the Bath Grounds.

"I still think there's a post-Covid reaction.

"People want to get out, eventually these sort of events are few and far between still.

"There's a real thirst for people to go and meet as a community.

"It was a celebration. You didn't have to be a royalist to enjoy the occasion.

"Plus, it was a free event for the people - for everybody, which we put on to bring the community together.

"I think that people appreciate that, given what they've had to go through over the last few years.

"Also with the cost of living issues, people want to come out and join themselves.

"I've definitely never seen so many people down here for into one single event. It was brilliant. I was amazed and it gladdened your heart to see it."

Town Centre Manager , Stuart Benson, was equally pleased with the turnout.

He said: "It was phenomenal. I'm so over the moon about it.

"The weather's been on our side. So we couldn't have asked for anything better.

"But the whole Ashby community came out and supported us.

"It was fantastic to see with so many people enjoying the event.

"The response was phenomenal. I really couldn't have asked for anything better.

"Also, the vendors were very happy because they were all super busy. There were queues for the rides, queues for everything!

"It was a little bit slow at 12 noon, when we first started, but then it just built and built.

"Most brought their own food and it was a bit of a picnic. They were there to celebrate."

The town council decided against another street party, as had been held last year to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

But the decision proved to be a correct one.

Stuart added: "We did a street party for the Jubilee. And when we heard that there was going to be a Coronation, we said: 'Shall we do another street party?'.

"And I said, No, I want to do something a little bit different. last year, people had to book a place - but with this, we could fit far more people and get everybody joining in.

"That was always the way it was going to be - we decided to break with tradition, and this it showed that we did the right thing.

"We saw plenty of smiling faces and that's what we wanted."