Ref.10479CROWDS turned out for Chippenham's annual Family Fun Day in glorious sunshine on Sunday afternoon.

The free event organised by the town council was bigger and better than ever this year, with a host of attractions and entertainments filling John Coles Park. "I had a fantastic time," said the Mayor Desna Allen.

"It was a beautiful day, a wonderful turnout, and I must pay tribute to the town council staff who organised it. The afternoon was absolutely great."

New this year was a circus entertainer and free circus workshop so youngsters could try their hand at stilt walking, Diablo and unicycling.

Familiar favourites included a visit by Roves Farm, which took along a goat, a lamb and two rabbits, which children were able to stroke.

The event was sponsored by Wavin and the Wiltshire Gazette and Herald, and Gilbert the Gazette Gator was busy patrolling the park, making friends and handing out chocolates and sweets.

Gazette staff were busy handing out goody bags and free loaves of bread, and the Gazette bouncy castle proved popular with youngsters.

Many local charities and clubs set up stalls at the event, including the Lions Club, the Round Table and the Sea Cadets.

The Chippenham Twinning Association introduced visitors to the French game of boules.

Children also enjoyed face painting, a Punch and Judy show and rides on a miniature railway.

Wiltshire Police and the Wiltshire Fire Brigade attended, and many children enjoyed the opportunity to sit in the cab of the fire appliance or try on a policeman's body armour and hat.

Young fire engine enthusiast Ben Charlton, seven, was just checking out the special pliers and equipment on the appliance when an emergency call came through and the appliance had to dash from the park to an incident.

"He was just discussing with the officer how many fires a year there were in Chippenham," said Ben's mother Rachel Charlton.

"The officer said there were 1,500, and then two minutes later a call came through and within 30 seconds everything was packed away and the firefighters were leaping into the cabin and away they went. Ben was very excited."

Coun Allen said: "Year on year the Fun Day gets better, because we learn from previous years. The sponsorship from Wavin and the Gazette was really good, and the park was so full."