A LITTLE bit of rain could not dampen the return of the Tillicoultry Gala Day on Saturday.

It started with the colourful parade to the Public Park from Murray Square, led by the Alloa Bowmar Pipe Band.

The family event saw children’s rides, bouncy castles, dance and music, a football tournament, a fancy dress competition, various stalls and even a mini highland games.

Some of the entertainers included Janet Snape highland dancers, a display from Alba Performing Arts School and the Silent Knights.

Only the caber-tossing could go ahead because of the weather as part of the highland games, but spirits were not dampened and it was a spectacle not to be missed as always.

The fancy dress competition had categories from nursery to P7 with plenty of winners, while the best dressed stall went to the Scout and Guide Hall Committee who had a Fathers’ Day theme that saw all wearing moustaches.

Gala king Rubin Allan and queen Hannah Shahid were also crowned, they were flanked by the royal party which included attendants Grace Bowyer and Brooke Williamson, page boy Robbie Stevenson and flower girl Amber Bowie.

Robbie's house was decorated to look like a castle by mum Stacey Stevenson and friends, who did an amazing job on a shoestring budget.

Stacey said: "It cost £20 all in and that was for the sheets of MDF. Everything else we have pulled together from the backs of cupboards and garages.

"The coat of arms and the horse and knight are all hand drawn, the entire thing is hand painted."

Special guest of the day was Mrs Linda Coutts, headteacher of the local primary.

Damian Sherwood-Johnson - chair of Tillicoultry, Coalsnaughton and Devonside Community Council which runs the gala each year – said: “A little bit of rain can't dampen the spirt of local people and there was a great atmosphere.

“It was fantastic to see so many attend the gala and enjoy themselves.

“A huge thank you to all the volunteers who made an incredible effort and worked so hard to put the gala on."

Support also came from a good number of local businesses, whose financial contribution was described as “vital”.

Sponsors included Kerry Ingredients and Flavours, EDF, Bracewell Stirling Consulting, Dewar Brothers Limited, The Royal Arms, Watersrule Solicitors, D McCulloch Contractor and Plant, Ochil Eyes, Macks Pharmacy, Tea@63, and Baynes.