After a miserable Friday, Ipswich's first "Weekender" event of the year really took off on Saturday as bright sunshine attracted thousands of people into the town centre.

The three-day festival aimed at encouraging people to visit and spend some time in the town centre really seemed to do the trick as the weather encouraged visitors to stay.

The Cornhill was transformed into an adventure playground for youngsters as a mobile climbing wall and a travelling "cave" arrived.

There was no shortage of children keen to prove that they had a head for heights once they were all strapped up with safety harnesses!

Elsewhere the Ancient House opened its doors again giving shoppers the chance to visit some artisan traders.

And Christchurch Mansion turned back  the centuries giving visitors the chance to meet some of the people who had lived there through the ages.

There were also art and music events to start the year off.

Over the next few months a number of different events are planned for the town in a bid to persuade more people to visit the town centre.