THE rain in Spain may fall mainly on the plain but when Helen Haglethorn stepped out as Eliza Doolittle at Seend Fete on Saturday there was only sunshine to welcome her.

Will Trickett, who appeared as Kevin Mcloud's expert on TV's Man Made Home, accompanied the cockney sparrow turned dignified lady in the fancy dress parade at the start of the event.

Fancy dress winner Doreen Munroe, who dressed as a Chinese lady complete with parasol, was assured of a bit of shade as temperatures rose at Lye Field.

Anita Shea was also in costume and accompanied by a puppet golden goose as she publicised Seend Fawlty Players' next production.

Old fashioned fun was provided by a Punch and Judy man and an organ grinder and there was also a display of vintage cars.

Freddie Giles escorted the fete royalty of Imogen, Sophia, Sadie and Rhys in his open top car while Ben Long not only displayed his Austin Six but also made a model of an old fashioned mechanic to sit in the front seat.

Fete chairman Jo McManus said: "It was absolutely fantastic. We wanted it to be the biggest and the best ever and I think we succeeded. People were saying lovely things and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves."

For those who wanted to escape the heat the flower show in the nearby community hall was a big draw. Here giant blooms and vegetables drew around 500 people to admire the entries.

Organiser Brian Jaques said: "I was very pleased by the number of entries and the judges were impressed with the standard. Ours is not a show just for perfect specimens. The entries I put in myself are there to make everyone else feel better but there were a lot of excellent entries that made people go ooh and ah when they came in."

The best in show award went to Julie Brokas for a wonderful quilt. Graeme Bowyer won the cup for the most points for his vegetables, and Pauline Shea-Simonds for the most points for flowers and Janet Giles for produce.

Ralph Hickman's giant onions caught the eye of judge Malcolm Bell who awarded him first place in his class while Carola Thorpe came first in the large flower category for her begonias.