RAIN failed to extinguish the enthusiasm of stall holders and visitors to this year’s Hope Street Feast.

Thousands of people braved the poor weather to enjoy the huge variety of food and drinks on offer in stalls all along the Liverpool street which connects the city’s two cathedrals.

Now in its fifth year, Hope Street – along with parts of Hardman Street and Myrtle Street – was closed to traffic allowing food-lovers to browse the dozens of stalls at their leisure – with umbrellas being the main risk of injury.

Those who attended the event were able to sample some of the tastiest delights – from an extraordinary selection of pick and mix sweets and a chocolate fountain at one end, to African and Caribbean chicken jerk at the far end of the street.

Local traders were well represented with the Liverpool Cheese Company providing a huge selection and The Chocolate Cellar assuring its customers that "chocolate is for any weather".

A little further along was David McCreadie whose business Derimon was offering live lobsters caught by the stallholder himself in the Menai Strait just the day before. He was also proud to be selling his own smoked sea salt which he claims is used in American President Barack Obama’s favourite chocolate snack.

Further along at Mary’s Cakes, based in Willaston, Mary Walton was cooking up scones on site for a queue of customers.