JOHN PHILLIPS reports on the two-day family festival in Blackwood which aimed to help boost High Street trade.

THOUSANDS of shoppers attended a two-day festival which helped boost trade after the high street was hit by a suspected arson attack.

Families yesterday enjoyed funfair rides and a mini sand beach in Blackwood High Street, which saw its Poundstretcher store gutted by a suspicious blaze in May.

Eight thousand people packed the high street on Saturday alone, according to council chiefs, with more taking advantage of free donkey rides on the makeshift beach, food stalls and circus workshops on Sunday.

Roberto Rossi, 41, of the Square Café on the high street, said: “Saturday was brilliant.

The weather was kind to us.

“It’s been great for the town. The fire left a bit of a black cloud in the high street.”

Mum Kirsty Jones, 28, enjoyed the urban beach with her two-year-old son Quaid.

Miss Jones, of Nelson, said: “I’m really impressed. I will come next year.”

Families also had the chance to handle falcons, parrots and even a large python on one of the stalls.

Alison Lloyd, 47, a cupcake stall seller, said: “I made 800 cupcakes in total. Yesterday was a beautiful day. It was so busy and we did extremely well.”

Caerphilly council events officer, Sarah-Kate Ackerman, said yesterday: “Caerphilly council is very passionate about putting events in our town centre.

“To promote retailers is the main objective in the current climate.

“Blackwood did take a hit after the fire at the Poundstretcher. It has been very important for the town.”

Police have bailed eight people in connection with the suspected arson on May 1.