Fair goers in Richmond were dancing well into the evening when the May Fair arrived in town for its 39th year.

Chairman of the Richmond May Fair, Liz Carran, said she could not begin to guess how many people attended but was confident thousands flocked to the parish church and the Green last Saturday.

The fair was filled with live music, maypole and morris dancers, a tight rope artist, comedian and featured the yearly crowning of the May Queen.

Ms Carran said: “We were absolutely delighted with it, with all you read in the national press you think no one will come.

“It has a great community atmosphere and of course people come not just from Richmond they come for a good day out.

“For me it’s the community at its best.

“People just did not want to go home - they were dancing around the stage.”

With Bernie Bennett performing super hero on a tightrope, Covent Garden comedy star Maynard Flip Flap leaving crowds in fits of laughter and rock ‘n’ rollers Nark Cool and the Shudders entertaining the gathered masses, Ms Carran was hard pressed to pick her favourite moment.

“One of the highlights for me was before the May Fair - it actually happened on the Thursday before - I heard this excited child’s voice shouting outside my window ‘mum, mum it’s the May Fair, I’m going aren’t I?’,” she explained.

As always the day saw a boost in trade for town centre shops and charity stalls were buoyed by donations and support offered by visitors enjoying the attractions in the spring sunshine.

Ms Carran praised all those who were prepared to give up their time to help others.

“The people are amazing who, even in their busy lives, find time to put something back,” she said.