WINCHESTER is set for a bumper crop of street parties this summer, including one that was held last Saturday (May 12).

The city’s Business Improvement District held a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party in St Thomas Street, just off the High Street.

Part of the road was closed for picnic tables, wine tasting, pottery painting and the Kidsrome mobile petting zoo.

Running from 11am to 3pm, the event also featured stilt walkers and other eye-catching costumes.

BID project manager Catherine Turness, who was the Mad Hatter for the day, said: “We’ve had a steady flow of people and we’re doing what we can to support the shops here, and this is the first of several street parties this summer.”

Amongst the St Thomas Street firms doing a roaring trade was Ginger Two. Not only were refreshments flying off its temporary stall, but business inside the cafe and boutique was also booming.

During the rush of customers, Jane Stayman, who runs the firm, said: “It’s been very busy, and the street party has been bringing in a lot more people as far as I can tell.”

The next party will be in The Broadway on Sunday, June 3, to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

It will be followed by further festivities in Parchment Street on Saturday, July 14.

Rounding off the schedule will be special events in the Brooks Centre and Jewry Street on Saturday, September 8.