SWITCHING the date of the village festival from autumn to spring paid dividends in Market Lavington on Sunday when hundreds turned out to enjoy a day of fun and sports on the Elisha Field.

The event started off with a bang when a Chinese-style dragon led a parade from the market place to the Elisha Field.

The dragon had been made by pupils at St Barnabas Primary School under the leadership of retired secondary school art teacher Peter Ferris. Mr Ferris said: "The festival committee wanted to get the village children more involved in the festival and it was thought it would be easier to do this after they had finished their exams and before the school holidays.

"It certainly worked. We had an average of 250 people up at the field at any one time and the whole thing was a great success."

Once the parade had arrived at the field, a football tournament began. In the nine to 11 age group, Leicester City beat Aston Villa 2-1 in the final; in the 12 to 14 age group, Reading bested Southampton 3-2 and in the adult group Wantons beat The Churchill 1-0.

A talent contest in the marquee at the field proved immensely popular. It was won by eight-year-old Jack Martin who sang and danced to Busted's Year 3000. Tobie Tripp was second playing violin. Catherine Clark was third with her rendition of a Country and Western number.

The evening ended with a children's disco.