IT WAS a right royal affair for this Meon Valley Village as a costumed queen kicked off a day of Victorian fun.

The sun shone on 'Queen Victoria' as she arrived by horse-drawn carriage to Droxford Country Fair on Saturday.

Around 2,000 people enjoyed the range of period games and sideshows, from Punch and Judy and Victorian ladder toss to a 'Memory Lane' treasure hunt and Sherlock Holmes map quest.

Many dressed up to enjoy the summer weather and animals on show, including alpacas. dogs, ferrets and falcons.

Droxford's link to the old Meon Valley railway came to life as a local enthusiast offered rides in his hand-built replica steam train.

And the fair was completed by a barbecue, plus drinks from village brewery Bowmans Ales.

Its royal guest was amused by the range of period costume and judged a dress-up competition at the end of the day. Most impressive were the military garbs worn by children as they tackled a purpose-built assault course.

For the grown-ups there was an exhibition of historic photographs of Droxford in St Mary & All Saints Church, covering villagers, schools and businesses as far back as 1900.

Mary Hornby-Patterson, chairman of the organising committee, said: "The weather was fabulous, just gorgeous. We were really, really lucky.

"Lots of people dressed up and it gave us a way of theming the games. People like a country fair, don't they?"

She thanked Southampton residential services firm Phoenix Futures for sending volunteers to help set up.

The fair raised around £3,000 for charities and organisations in the village. Local groups are asked to apply for grants at an annual parish meeting in December.

Last year £4,500 was raised for groups including Droxford Scouts and residents putting together a Parish Plan.