THE manager of the Welsh football team will open a Hampshire village fete.

Chris Coleman OBE and his wife Charlotte will cut the ribbon at the annual event near Wickham this weekend.

The Newtown Church Fete is billed as a “quintessential” English event which last year saw 1,200 visitors raised £14,000 towards the church and local community projects as well as the Rowans and Countess Mountbatten Hospices. More than 150 villagers helped stage the event.

Chris and wife Charlotte Jackson Coleman, a TV presenter on Sky Sports News, were married at Newtown Church as Charlotte’s family live locally.

Chris famously took Wales close to footballing glory when he steered his side to the semi-finals of Euro 2016 in France.

Charlotte said: “Newtown has always been very special to Chris and I – we were married here in 2015 and my family are from the village.

“We are delighted to be opening the famous church fete. Fingers crossed, the sun shines and plenty of money is raised.”

Fete organiser Sue Wells said: “We’re thrilled that Chris and Charlotte are able to be part of our fete this year. It’s lovely that they are so keen to support us.”

There will be stalls, sideshows, an amazing dog agility display, classic and interesting cars and a working steam engine.

Music will be from the Victory Brass Band and the Swanmore Jazz Band with food and drinks ranging from tea and cakes to real ale and burgers.

Home-made cakes, plants, clothes, books, crafts and an auction of promises, a huge tombola and the grand draw will pull in the crowds.

Organisers say the “ethos of the fete for the last 40 years has always been to give people of all ages an enjoyable day out in the setting of the grounds and garden of a family house.”

It takes place on May 27 at 2pm in the gardens of Meonwood, Woodend.