ALL the fun of the fair at Marlborough's spectacular Millennium Mop on Saturday pulled in the crowds, including MP Michael Ancram.

Returning from a week at the Tory party conference, he put the swings and roundabouts of politics in the background for a change as he tried his hand on the waltzers, big wheel and other fairground rides.

Mr Ancram joked that he never missed the traditional opening ceremony because it gave him the opportunity to try all the rides for free.

The fair was opened by the mayor, Coun Maurice Cooper, who was introduced by the past president of the Showmen's Guild of Great Britain, William Whitelegg.

Referring to the fair tradition Coun Cooper told the showmen: "It is an institution for you to be here every year, but it is one we look forward to."

He said he still had proud memories of when he was last mayor 11 years ago, and had the honour of opening the fair in the Showmen's Guild centenary year.

With just four years to the 800th anniversary of the granting of the royal charter which gave Marlborough the right to hold its annual fairs, the guild is already planning talks with Marlborough Town Council over how the occasion can be celebrated in 2004.

The Millennium Mop brought in revellers from far and wide.

One group at the Mop who were hoping to be winners were Pewsey trio Keith Richardson, Nathan Gearing and Stuart Hogg.

They walked through the fair dressed in patriotic England colours. They were on their way to the Royal Oak to watch the England-Germany soccer game, the last game to be staged at Wembley. Unlike the losers at the fairground they did not get so much as plastic toy or a furry teddy bear when England went down 1- 0.

The second Mop Fair will open on Saturday at noon.