Stalls and games pack new venue for bustling Little Common Country Fair

Julie Apps, treasurer of the Little Common Business Association, who organise the fair, said: "It did very well.

"Our new venue proved to be a total success. We had lots of positive feedback about having more space."

And the space, in the garden of St Martha's Church, was well used, with bash-a-rat stalls, a penalty shootout, hook-a-duck and the famous human fruit machine. Town Mayor Jimmy Carroll kicked off proceedings, and stayed to try his hand at the hoopla.

"We have been in The Wheatsheaf car park for some years," said Julie, "but we wanted to try and breathe new life into the fair.

"The barbecue and cream teas were a particular success."

The 2,000 - an improvement on last year's total - will be used by the LCBA to promote the village. Some will also be donated to local charities.