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Just two hours before the crowds were due to start flocking to the venue on an overcast day organisers were forced to dash to a nearby DIY store and snap up its stock of plastic garden gazeboes.

Despite the initial hiccup, the event proved a huge success with families from across north Manchester enjoying the fairground, side shows, circus acts, live music and soccer tournament.

Harpurhey councillor Joanne Green was relieved the day went to plan after the earlier panic.

"We were setting up early on and waiting for the marquees to arrive. It was 10 o' clock when we found out they weren't coming, so it was a bit of a panic," she explained.

"The marquees had been booked for things like the magic show and the information stands. We had to dash over to B and Q and buy loads of little gazeboes.

Bobby Martell, with Richard Walker

Magician Bobby Martell proved a crowd puller delighting youngsters with his balloon sculptures but the highlight of his show was his guillotine trick.

Eight-year-old Richard Walker of New Moston bravely volunteered to be Bobby's assistant. The young audience shrieked as the blade magically passed through the St Margaret Mary's pupil's neck without a scratch.

The old one's are the best. Don't try this at home kids.