ST HELENS' second Vegan and Vintage Spring Fair drew the crowds to the town hall despite the downpours on Saturday (March 18).

Around a dozen vintage cars fanned out in Victoria Square to welcome visitors to the event, and stalls selling take-away vegan fayre were set up in front of the hall.

Food, fashion and furnishings proved equally popular with event-goers, according to organiser Ann-Marie Owens of Phoenix Apparel.

The top 6 sellers were:

1. Hot food

Stalls including Nigerian cuisine Flavors of Africa which used bean cake, spinach, kale and plantain with spicy and mild options; Ginger Cow's vegan burgers, curries and chillies; there was also Thai and Wholesome Food Junkies

2. Cakes

Cakes and other sweet treats were popular, with Forget the Eggs' meringue a best seller

3. Bags

Designs by Helens almost sold out of her bags which are hand made from off-cuts and recycled demin

4. Upcycled furnishings

Potty Mouth Pigeon's humourous upcycled wooden items sold well; Newton-le-Willows upcycling firm Passsoul sold a piece of furniture for £170

5. Children's wear

Local firm Yoyo's unique styles drew a lot of attention

6. Records had a fab day

Music fans spent lots of time flicking through the vinyl at Pop in the Attic

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According to Ann-Marie, event newcomers, Nigerian stall 'Flavors of Africa' and 'Besos de Oro' - described as a vegan alternative to Baileys - generated a lot of interest.

People were invited to take part in art project 'St Helens through the Lens', posing for photos to emulate the nostalgic George Street Photography collection, housed at St Helens libraries.

Massage and therapies were on offer courtesy of Access Consciousness and Boho Holistics.

Ann-Marie Owens said: "It was super busy, lots of food sold out. 'Forget the Eggs' was the first to sell up, but the owner stayed and enjoyed the day. 'Designs by Helen' almost sold out of handmade bags.

"Many visiting vegans, who came from all over the country to support us, said it was the best they had ever visited because it was so diverse. Nobody does a vintage-vegan-arts and crafts mix-up like us!"

She added: "The next event is likely to be a Christmas one, so watch this space... And we are planning an outdoor vegan food festival for 2018 because it's so popular."

Visiting with his fiancee and family, Garo Kassabian, 28, from Leeds, said: "I support big and small vegan events across the country. I'm really keen to check out the food here, it looks great."

Gary Maddock, town centre manager, said: "The spring fair was again a huge success, bringing lots of visitors from across the North West and beyond. It provides a positive profile for the town centre and borough.

"This event is a great example in the way the council works in partnership with the private sector to create new and exciting cultural activities."