Spring showers failed to dampen enthusiasm at Otterbourne's May Fair on Monday.

There were over 500 visitors at the event, which was held in the grounds of Cranbury Park, home of Major Nigel Chamberlayne-Macdonald and his wife, Penelope.

The big crowds also meant the carnival was a huge fund-raising success for the organisers, the social committee of St Matthew's, who collected over £2,000 for church funds.

"It was straight out of The Darling Buds of May," said one of the organisers, Gill Macdonald. "People came out in hordes. It was very much a community day."

The event began with the crowning of May Queen, Emma Gilbert, who by horse and carriage, having been had been chosen by fellow pupils at the village school.

Schoolchildren performing traditional dances around the May Pole and other highlights of the event included Morris-dancing, cricket and hoop-la.

Also at the summer carnival were children's games, a beer tent and cricket on the lawn in a truly "old-fashioned" festival.

Music was provided by Otterbourne Brass and the Cavalier Jazzmen, from Hythe, near Southampton and to fuel the fun, there was also a traditional hog roast.