Stilt walkers, a magician and other street artists entertained more than 5,000 people at Larks in the Parks on Sunday.

Families flocked to green spaces in Batford, Colney Heath, Fleetville and London Colney and to Victoria Playing Field in St Albans to enjoy an afternoon of fun. A gregarious giant tree and a chatty sunflower stilt walker entertained the crowds.

There was also live music, face painting and a chance for picnickers to have a go at craft activities.

For the more active there were welly wanging, tug of war and beat the goalie competitions as well as the annual River Lea duck race. Drumming workshops were also available for those more musically inclined.

Parish Councils and voluntary groups worked with St Albans District Council and St Albans Arts Team, part of the Council’s leisure contractor 1Life, to organise the activities.

At Batford Springs, people experienced the thrill of the ride on a Space Ball, while at the Fleetville Community Centre they tackled an assault course. There was maypole dancing at Roestock Park, Colney Heath or riding a Rodeo Bull at both London Colney Community Centre and at St Albans’ Victoria Playing Field.