BARBECUES, belly dancers, books and beers were among the highlights, as York traders and residents held a summer street festival.

There was a carnival atmosphere in Fossgate on Sunday, for its latest car-free day and festival.

Traders have long called for the street to be pedestrianised, without success, so began the monthly events in May as a way to promote the street more widely.

On Sunday, cafes opened into the street, there was paella, barbecue food and tapas available, the art studios in Franklins Yard were opened to the public and there was live music and dancing outside Macdonald's furniture shop. Fossgate Books and Oxfam Books also had stalls.

York Press:

Zoe Plummer, chair of the Fossgate events committee, said: "It has been a huge success. It rained for about half an hour but it was amazing how resilient people have been - everyone took it on the chin.

"The day has really opened people's eyes to what Fossgate has to offer. It has been brilliant being able to showcase local talent and to have had residents helping as well, so it was not just traders."

Artist Jo Walton, whose studio was among those opened, said: "It has been excellent. We have had 120 people in here."

Sal Wilson from the Swirl clothes shop said: "It has been absolutely superb. The atmosphere has been great and we've had really positive feedback from everybody, and we have had lots of new people in the shop. A lot of people had not really noticed Fossgate before. That's what it is all about - not just the day, but raising the whole profile."

Steve Dyson from Spring Espresso said: "It's been brilliant - a little rain spoiled it briefly but it's not a British barbecue without a bit of rain! Everyone has been amazed by today. A lot of people have said they have newly discovered Fossgate - they heard the music and came down, which just goes to show it should be pedestrianised long-term."

City councillor Stuart Rawlings was among the crowds. He said the event echoed the success of street parties in Bishopthorpe Road, and said the council was looking to see such events emulated. He said: "I am always impressed when communities do something for themselves and it provides economic growth."

The event was car-free - with the small exception of one Mini, which had been left parked overnight since Saturday and which was left ticketed but unmoved throughout the festival.

The next two events are on August 2 and September 6, again from 9am to 8pm.

Top picture: Back row, from left: Steve Dyson from Spring Espresso, Mike Lakin from Fossgate Social, Sal Wilson from Swirl and her husband Jason. Front row, from left: Tracey Dyson from Spring Espresso, Zoe Plummer from Ambiente Tapas, Monica Polisca from Lucius Books, and local residents Jonny Murray and Danny Schnitzler. Picture: Gavin Aitchison.