TORRENTIAL rain and storms blighted the Victorian Fair in Halesowen at the weekend.

The event in the town centre still went ahead and despite the downfall spirits were not dampened at the fair.

Rotarian Tony Billingham, who helped organise the event, said: "We were very unlucky with the weather as it was sunny all week but we had awful weather on the day.

"It was a great shame because a lot of organisation goes into events like this but despite the weather stall holders said they had a good day and several charities raised a lot of money."

There were street performers and stalls throughout the town centre on Saturday at the Halesowen and Rowley Regis Rotary Club organised event.

It was also the culmination of the Halesowen in Bloom Treasure Hunt which saw schoolchildren make and hide imaginary plants throughout the town.

Halesowen North Councillor Hilary Bills said: " The treasure hunt was a success despite the awful weather on the last day at the Victorian Street Fair.

Tenterfields, Manor Way, Hurst Green, Lutley and Halesowen Church of England schools, Tenterfields and Olive Hill children’s centres and Leasowes High School all helped with the treasure hunt.

The plants were hidden at Yesterday’s World Antiques, Town Centre Café, Dancers, The Flower Stall, The Grill, Wilkinsons, Cake Emporium, Thornton’s, ASDA and Halesowen Library.

Cllr Bills added: "I'd like to give a huge thank you to all the children and businesses who made the Treasure Hunt happen and also to the families who joined in the fun."

The organisers of the Great Black Country Run also scored a success signing people up for Sunday, September 21 run.

Rotarian Alan Bowler, race co-ordinator, said: "Even though the weather was appalling on Saturday for the Victorian Fayre we had quite a number signing up to the 10k race and 5k family fun run."

"We had a raffle and the winner of the printer from Less 4 Office Supplies was Spencer Grinham, he signed up with his wife & two children to run in the 5k family fun run."