Torrential rain failed to keep the crowds away from a wide range of events over a damp weekend.

At least Sneezy and Charlie, the competitors in a snail race organised as part of the York Acorn Rugby Club gala, enjoyed the weather, though the action failed to leave spectators shell shocked as they crawled to the finish.

No records were broken, as they crept to a dead heat on the finish line of the 13-inch course in three minutes.

The best time for the event, held every year as part of a gala at the club's ground in Thanet Road, York, eluded them by more than 40 seconds.

Organiser Linda Hill said: "No records have gone, but we have had another excellent year.

"There were a lot of young people about, and it was a marvellous family day out."

The event, which also included a teddy bear sale, raised money for the club's redevelopment fund.

In York city centre, crowds sheltered under umbrellas to enjoy the ironically titled Jazz On A Summer's Day event.

Bands from local schools and colleges played in Parliament Street for most of Saturday, with only the occasional glimmer of sunshine.

One onlooker said: "Jazz and sunshine do go together perfectly so it was a shame it rained, but there were some excellent musicians playing and they still managed to put on a really enjoyable show."

At Barlby, near Selby, flood evacuees celebrating their homecoming with a street party had to dash for cover when they were hit by torrential rain.

In scenes reminiscent of last November's deluge, the heavens opened and more than 100 residents on Barlby's Wainhomes estate, were forced to shelter under tents and gazebos.

Once the downpour had stopped, the band and disco returned to the "stage" on the back of a lorry and dancing resumed in the streets.

Organiser Sue Lawrenson said: "After all that the residents have been through since last November, the rain was a bit hard to take, but we just got on with it. Everybody had a great time."

Many families on the estate have spent the last six months living with relatives or in hotels and rented accommodation after the River Ouse overtopped flood banks.

Overcast skies failed to deter a group of cyclists from their pedalling picnic at the weekend.

The 25 cyclists gathered at the Millennium Bridge, in York, to begin a nine-mile charity cycle ride to Riccall along the York to Selby cycle track in aid of cycling charity Sustrans.

Iris Wells, organiser for Sustrans, said: "It went very well. We had about 25 people and everyone enjoyed themselves."

Peter Thompson, a lecturer at the University of York, one of the creators of the cycle track's solar system theme, was also on the ride to explain how these earth-bound planets were made. "He created them from concrete," said Iris.

Updated: 12:10 Monday, June 18, 2001