A BARROW community rallied together to put on a two-day gala this weekend - the first in at least 10 years.

Barrow Island Gala returned with sports tournaments, dance displays, stalls, a barbecue, novelty sumo wrestling, and bucking bronco.

Barrow Island Community Sports Trust, which has taken over the lease of Cavendish Park, hosted the sporting and community event.

Rob McAloone, acting trust secretary, was overwhelmed with the reception of the event and promised it wouldn't take another decade for it to take place again.

The 48-year-old, of Ramsden Dock Road, said: "It's been absolutely superb, good fun. We've had a great turn-out.

"We have just taken over a 30-year lease and we want the Barrow Island community to come together.

"I was nervous about the gala happening again. We will learn from this year and make it bigger and better next year."

Joanna Harvey, 24, attended the show today along with her son, Leon, who was taking part in the junior rugby contests.

She said: "It's for Barrow Island. We don't have much like this so it's nice."

Aside from junior sport, there was plenty of other things to do, including an array of stalls, mini-disco, face-painting, and health and beauty provided by Arbonne International.

For more, see tomorrow's Evening Mail.