FAMILIES and friends gathered to support the Sparsholt Village Fete.

More than a thousand residents headed down to the day of fun, which opened with a peal of bells from St Stephen’s Church bell ringers.

Among the activities on offer was splat the rat, a cricket game, a raffle, bottle tombola and a coconut shy.

Meanwhile children, were able to enjoy rides, pond dipping and circus skills activities.

The mayor of Winchester, Cllr David McLean cut the ribbon across Woodman Lane to welcome the crowd, whose attendance helped to fundraise for St Stephen's Church and other village organisations.

One of the organisers Hilary Eggers said: "Helen Arundell and her team served afternoon teas on the Memorial Green, the Pimm’s tent did a roaring trade in the sunshine while the jazz band played.

"The children of Sparsholt Primary School entertained the crowds with their country dancing display and we even had a model railway whistling around the village hall.

"All in all, it was a great afternoon of family fun."

The fete committee consisted of Sue Annesley, Helen Arundell, Alastair Barron, Katy Cobbold, Dave and Helen Denham, Hilary Eggers, Erica and Ian Hay, Sally and Suzy Wesley and Tim Wilson.