Thousands get into the carnival spirit at Costessey fayre near Norwich

A summer fayre celebrating the community spirit and diverse interests of a parish near Norwich drew thousands on the last day of the bank holiday weekend.

Vintage cars, zumba performances and the bright lights of fairground rides created a carnival atmosphere for the second annual Costessey Fayre.

An estimated 4,000 people descended on the Costessey Centre to experience a wide variety of stalls from societies throughout the village.

And as the bustling lunchtime activities gave way to the evening, a disco and a fireworks display was unveiled to keep families partying into the night.

Deputy parish clerk Richard Rymarz said: 'Costessey is a big parish and very diverse so anything that brings people together has got to be a good thing. This was not specifically a fundraising event, the council has subsidised this so societies can show what they have to offer and people can have a great time.'

Dozens of stalls lined the grounds from flower clubs and food tasters to armed forces vehicles and bric-a-brac. One fayre-goer was raising money for the arthritis charity Rheumatoid in Norfolk Group by selling hand-decorated Oriental eggs. Hao Clayton, of Costessey, used blown chicken eggs, which she repaired and then delicately wrapped with washi paper.

Meanwhile, the highlight at the fayre came from the polished bodywork and automotive nostalgia of 25 classic cars.

Particular attention was being paid to a 1934 Austin 18 Carlton limousine, which came accompanied by a 1920s Eccles caravan.

Owner Carol Cole, of Ditchingham, near Bungay, said the caravan would have originally been owned by the rich who could afford to have cars in the 1920s

Are you planning a big event? Contact Ben Woods on 01603 772439 or email ben.woods@archant.co.uk