THE FARMERS who make the best of country life have gathered in the heart of Winchester to celebrate Hampshire agriculture.

The Harvest Festival at Winchester Cathedral brings families together this weekend to mark the end of a difficult summer for many farmers.

And city-dwellers got a feel for this summer's huge country shows, exploring more than 20 stalls and attractions with fresh produce, livestock and vintage machinery.

Animals including ponies, owls and geese were happy to entertain, though some were alarmed when the brass band started booming at the Inner Close.

The Close was swarming with youngsters, who ran from falconry demonstrations to horse-drawn carriage and learnt how food gets to their plates.

Education and outreach is a key part of city events for the many rural organisations who set up shop.

Ben Robinson, chairman of Hampshire Federation of Young Farmers, said: "It's a fantastic event and fantastic opportunity for everyone involved in the Hampshire farming community to come together and show what we do to the wider public. Young Farmers are proud to be a part of that."

The cathedral prides itself on the event's interactivity, particularly through the popular scarecrow competition, which sees families and schools craft their own straw people to dot around the site.

Hampshire Farmers Markets advertised their first event taking place in Winchester High Street after a move from Middle Brook Street car park. The market is on the High Street for the first time on Sunday, from 9am to 4pm.

The cathedral's Harvest Festival proper takes place on Sunday at 10am, while the County Harvest service begins at 3.30pm with TV's Alastair Stewart interviewing figures from across the agricultural community.

Between the services the Dean of Winchester and guest speaker Simon Robinson, of Hattingley Wine, will host a Hampshire lunch in the Cathedral Refectory.

Tickets for the meal, at 12.30pm, are still available for £14.95 from the cathedral website or by phone on 01962 857275.

For pictures from the Harvest Festival pick up the Hampshire Chronicle on Thursday