VILLAGERS turned out in force for the annual Holt Boules tournament on Boxing Day.

Fifty teams of four gathered on the village green, competing in heats for the coveted winner's certificate and a bottle of champagne.

The event, which has been running for nearly 30 years, is always a popular Boxing Day pastime.

Organiser Ian Bolden was pleased with the turnout.

He said: "The boules match here on the Green is always really well supported. We have had 200 entrants and dozens more watching. It is well established now and part of village life. People, often with their grown up families, return for the Christmas period to get out for some fresh air and to meet friends.”

John Barker, a member of the organising group who has only lived in the village for 18 months, was amazed at the turnout.

He said: "Holt is a close-knit village and the boules match is an event that attracts villagers to take part in. It's fun when grown-up children return to the village for Christmas to take part alongside their parents.”

The winning Propert family – team name Stuffed Turkey – were surprised at their success.

Dad Scott said: "We usually get knocked out in the first couple of rounds. It's taken us five years to get to the play-offs, let alone the final."

Scott, his wife Amy and children Megan and Alfie were awarded a bottle of Champagne by Mark Hodges of The Tollgate.