LANGFORD’S Museum of Power played host to some colourful characters at its highly-anticipated fifth Steampunk festival.

Sunday’s event celebrated the science fiction and fantasy-inspired cult with activities such as tea-duelling competitions, burlesque, parasol- duelling, morris dancing and music.

Museum manager, Debbie Thomas, said: “The winner of the tea-duelling is the one who can eat a malted milk biscuit after being dunked in Earl Grey tea for the longest time, with this particular combination being the necessity.

“Dancing was then the order of the day with the Burlesque Bombshells performing three fabulous routines, and the Soluna Dance group enthralling the crowds with the art of parasol-duelling.

“The Hells Bells Morris Dancers made sure toes got tapping and everybody all enjoyed themselves.

“The show was closed with Sentimental Journey and lead singer Geri providing a sing-along of well-known songs, with the crowd joining in.”

The museum’s ‘Talk-Tent’ held numerous engaging talks including An Introduction to Steampunk by Paul Adams, and the History of Bumforth Hall by Nick Simpson.

Other entertainment included a birds of prey display, axe-throwing, model steam engine and train displays, the museum’s steam miniature railway and Astaria Model Village.

The museum’s triple expansion engine, Marshall, was also running on steam, together with a belt-driven workshop and many engines being operated by volunteers.