Laxey village came to a standstill when a great parade of Victorian miners, led by Queen Victoria, made its way through the streets.

Hundreds of school children turned out, dressed in period costumes, including miners, complete with tools and soot-smudged faces, Victorian gentlemen, suffragettes and ladies dressed in their finery, and walked from the village square to the fair ground, which has held on the valley gardens, beneath the Snaefell wheel.

The event, which celebrates the village’s Victorian industrial heritage, even had a visit from Queen Victoria herself, portrayed by Carole Bairstow, who travelled in to the village on board a Manx Electric tram.

The parade was marched through the town to the sound of the Ellan Vannin Pipes and Drums.

Pete Burgess, from Garff Commissioners, said that despite a couple of heavy showers, the day was a success and that a large crowd of people turned out to enjoy the day.

’We had about 800 people come through the gates to enjoy the fair, along with the 150 or so school children,’ said Pete.

’This year was our 48th Laxey Village Fair, and we are now starting to think about what we can do to celebrate the 50th fair in two years’ time.

’If anyone has any ideas, or would like to get involved in the organisation, feel free to get in touch with myself, by contacting Garff Commissioners on 861241.’