VISITORS flocked to Barry Island for the first of this year’s 2018 Barry Island Weekenders with the award-winning Isle of Fire on Saturday, August 21 and Sunday, August 22.

The magical fire garden returned once again, and fire dancers from Flame Oz, Lantern Parade and a Viking Ship, overflowing with pirates, entertained crowds.

The Weekenders will be sponsored by Admiral as part of a partnership approach to supporting events being developed by the Vale council.

Vale council managing director, Rob Thomas said: “The importance of sponsorship should not be underestimated.

“It is an important source of income that will help to sustain and support services at a time of increasing budget pressures.

“The decision of Admiral to sponsor the Weekenders comes hot on the heels of the decision by the Sinclair group to sponsor the Transport Festival earlier this year and the recent income received as a result of major filming on Penarth Pier.

“This is an important strand of work that we all need to embrace as a way of supporting the valuable work of all our teams across the organisation.”

Admiral CEO David Stevens said: “We’re delighted to be sponsoring the Barry Island Weekenders over the summer and are sure they’ll be a big success.

“We’re proud to be based in Cardiff and know we have a number of staff and their families living in the Vale so it’s great to support something which has a positive impact on the communities in which they live.”