AROUND 3,500 people visited Eccleshill Village Fair this weekend in spite of strong winds on the Delph recreation ground, the highest point in Eccleshill.

Chairman of the Village Steering Group Nicola Pollard said attractions, which included a bungee trampoline, fairground rides, singers and cheerleading demonstrations, on the Delph and associated events at the nearby Mechanics Institute proved a big draw for the community.

The event raises money for the area's Christmas lights.

"We know that we are having a good day when we see queues for the children’s rides and lots of people sitting on the bank. We had both on Saturday," she said.

"Some people told us that they had come at the 11am start and stayed until the end. They stressed that it was a good community event and Eccleshill recognised it as such.

"It is not just about raising funds for the Christmas Lights. It is about Eccleshill people coming together to enjoy themselves peacefully in large numbers and feeling good about the place in which they live.

"We did have a Police Community Support Officer on duty but her services were not required - which can’t be bad!"