The ancient art of lace-making took centre stage at Flambard's Kingsford Venue, attracting crowds of needle crafters and interested visitors from all over Cornwall and beyond.

It was the first lace and needle craft festival ever to be held in the county and was supported by a dozen local craft groups from Devon as well as Cornwall. Organisers have now declared the event "a tremendous success."

Sylvia Day, from the Helston branch of the Westcountry Embroidery Group, said: "We've been demonstrating lots of different embroidery techniques with a view to recruiting new members and I think it's worked, there has been so much interest."

The Kingsford Venue was set out for the event with tables full of people demonstrating their crafts and surrounded by suppliers of all the materials they needed to work - lace thread, bobbins, beads, fabrics, instruction books, tool kits, cottons and other equipment.

There was also an impressive display of items created by Cornish crafts-people - some of which have been exhibited around the world and many of which are worth thousands of pounds.

The event was opened by radio presenter Emma Lloyd, who was full of compliments for the work she had seen.

Emma said: "I'm delighted Flambards invited me to open this special event. I've found out so much about the wonderful ancient skill of lace-making, it's such intricate and beautiful work."

One important reason for arranging the event was to generate extra interest in the ancient skills being displayed. Organiser, Jane Stephen, explained that she was hoping the festival may inspire people to join craft groups and learn some of the skills as many wereprincipally practised by the older generation and were in danger of dying out altogether - in particular lace-making, which dates back to pre-historic times.

As an incentive, the groups involved had prepared a children's table where youngsters were encouraged and helped to try their hands, and patience, at lace-making, beading, French knitting and braiding.

Coral Dalitz, aged eight from of Oxford, had been holidaying in Cornwall with her parents and after seeing the festival advertised insisted they stay an extra day so she could visit.

"I just love making things," said Coral. "I'm a member of my school's sewing club and I've tried making a piece of lace before but it went a bit wrong."

Coral had a quick lesson in card lacing and although she felt it was an extremely complicated craft she had the perfect solution.

"It's really lovely to do but really complicated so I'm going to practise at home with Scoubidou laces for thread and old biros for bobbins and make a giant piece of lace first."

Coral's mum, Heather, said: "I'm glad we stayed to visit the festival. I've learned such a lot while we've been here."