SERGEANT Major Richard Nauyokas attracted a real army of thousands of fans to the Hullavington Barracks open day at the weekend, quadrupling the expected number of visitors.

Sgt Maj Nauyokas, who is based at Hullavington, has been catapulted into the limelight since he starred in ITV's Lad's Army as the corporal who subjects the recruits to 1950s-style square bashing.

But he and the lads, who were reunited for the first time since the show ended a month ago, didn't mind admitting to loving every minute of the attention they received when they went along to the fundraising day for Hullavington and Stanton St Quintin schools, to help attract more visitors.

Sgt Maj Nauyokas said: "They were expecting a crowd of 1,000 and there were more like 4,000 and I'd say having the Lad's Army boys there really helped. There's no doubt about it.

"It is good to be able to help with fundraising."

He used to run the Beaver Scout group in the village and coach the primary school's netball team. "They set up a tent for us and we basically just walked around being famous, signing autographs and talking to people,'' he added

"At one point I walked out of the tent to go and get some food and I didn't get ten yards before I was surrounded. I am flabbergasted by what's happened.

"I was at home doing housework and doing the Hoovering on Sunday, thinking 'what's so special about me?'

"Then I walk out of the door or go to the pub and people are asking me to shout at them or touch them or sign autographs.

"Even my own family have been asking me to sign photos and stuff, and I'm thinking 'they've got hundreds of photographs of me.' It's crazy."

But it wasn't all relaxing for the rookies of Waterloo Platoon reunited with their corporals, Nauyokas and John Murray, they were subjected to some customary, if a little toned down, abuse while being organised for a Gazette picture.

"Stand still,'' bellowed Cpl Murray, as Gazette photographer Hege Johnsen lined up the shot above.

Sgt Maj Nauyokas, who now lives in South Wales, said it was particularly nice to be raising money for Hullavington Primary School because his children used to go there.

After the open day, Sgt Maj Nauyokas and all the boys from Lad's Army travelled down to his house in South Wales.

"The boys were absolutely loving all the attention and lapping it up. They want to take the show on the road now," he said. "We all got very drunk afterwards."

Sgt Maj Nauyokas has been asked to open a hotel in Blackpool next week.

"I wonder if this is my 15 minutes of fame or if it's going to last at all," he said. "I hope it does."

Despite the Lad's Army tent being so popular, there were other attractions to keep visitors amused, including go-karts, mini motorbikes, a display by Ministry of Defence Police, a parachute drop by the Red Devils and an Army bomb disposal display.

There were also Ghurka displays a bobsleigh run, and a funfair.

One of the most popular attractions was the catering stall, at which Ghurkas produced spicy Nepalese cuisine.

jbishop@newswilts.co.uk