HUNDREDS headed to Larkrise Community Farm for its summer fete and to see a Wiltshire Paralympic equestrian medallist officially open its new indoor area on Saturday.

Anne Dunham was the guest of honour as she cut the tape to officially open the Trowbridge farm's new community indoor area, which has been up and running thanks to £16,500 in funding to build a new roof.

This project began last August, after the farm had to cancel many of its Riding for the Disabled classes due to the bad weather. However thanks to contributions from local area boards, businesses, organisations and £10,000 from the People's Post Code Lottery, the number of riders who go there has doubled now that they have a 40m x 30m roof above their head.

Although the roof has been in use for several months now, farm manager Wendy Self, wanted to do an official opening that tied in with the fete and she was thrilled that Mrs Dunham accepted her invitation to unveil the new facility.

"Cancelling lessons are now a thing of the past thanks to this brilliant roof and indoor area," said Mrs Self.

"The roof has made an enormous difference. We do not have to worry about Mother Nature affecting us anymore which is great. It has been in operation for a couple of months and the individual riders lessons has gone from between 20-25, up to 50 which is fantastic.

"We wanted to have a special occasion to mark this moment and I thought what better way to do that by asking Mrs Dunham along and coinciding it with our summer fete. It went down an absolute treat.

"To have 450 people come along was great and to raise £2,200 was brilliant. Everyone had a great time, bonding with the 22 stall holders, enjoying the games, petting the animals and staying nice and dry under our roof.

"I want to thank everyone for contributing towards this project and coming down on the day, it was one to remember."