POOLE’S first-ever Thai Festival at the weekend brought a feast of exotic colours, sounds and flavours to Dorset... along with a touch of romance.

Hundreds of people attending the event at Baiter’s Harbourside Park were able to picnic in the sunshine; wander around the stalls selling everything from clothing to jewellery and massage or watch closely-fought Thai boxing matches in the ring.

Festivalgoers also had their pick of food stalls selling a range of tasty oriental treats.

The stage saw a packed programme of performances, including ladyboy shows, traditional music and dancing, and a children’s fashion parade.

But the highlight of the first day was the traditional Thai wedding ceremony of Marc Dulson and Nongkran Inpan, who met in Bournemouth through mutual friends.

The couple came on stage in yellow and gold coloured Thai costumes, flanked by small children, also in traditional dress.

In a ritual heavy with symbolism, they were anointed by Buddhist monks, had linked circlets placed on their heads and garlands around their necks and water was poured over their outstretched hands.

Following the ceremony, Marc, of Charminster, who works for JP Morgan , explained why they had gone through with the ceremony.

“Thais are quite superstitious. My wife had a palm reading last year and it said she would get married three times. We got married in Bournemouth Town Hall register office in April and are getting married in Thailand in December as well. I haven’t been to Thailand yet so today is really a taster.”

On Sunday, the festival was the setting for the first Miss Thailand UK competition, with contestants parading in cocktail dresses, then traditional dress to try and win premier class return air tickets to their mother country.

The festival was held to raise money for a Thai temple in the UK and to buy educational equipment for unprivileged children in Thailand.