THE prayers of scores of golden jubilee celebration organisers in the Marlborough area were answered on Monday when rain abated just as festivities were about to start.

Many committee members who had put in months of planning were unsure whether to put alternative wet weather arrangements into operation for the afternoon.

But the rain stopped and, in some places, the sun even came out.

There was bitter disappointment on Monday when the day dawned grey and rainy, putting the dampeners on people as they put up flags and bunting and, in the case of Marlborough itself, brought in hundreds of tables and chairs for the street party.

But by the time most events were launched in the afternoon, the rain had stopped and a strong west wind dried away the puddles. By early evening, when events were reaching their crescendo, the sun came out and added extra sparkle to the celebrations.

As far as the emergency services were concerned, it was an uneventful day, although some party-goers needed hospital treatment for minor injuries caused by over exuberance.