YEALMPTON sports day turned out nice again despite a damp start, with organisers hoping for a substantial total raised for the upkeep of the village sports ground.

The annual event is held on the second Sunday in September in aid of Yealmpton Athletics Association, which also stages a fundraising duck race in July. The association takes care of the sports ground, maintaining the field, toilets and pavilion so that members of the public and village clubs can enjoy it.

The action began with a fun run over one and three miles, followed by old favourites including egg and spoon, sack and space hopper races. Refreshments were in the form of a barbecue, bar and tea, coffee and cake sales, and there were plenty of classic sideshow games like hook a duck and a coconut shy to keep the crowds entertained.

Part of the aim of the event is to bring the village together, and the association involved the local preschool in proceedings with youngsters staging a parade lead by a lavishly attired king and queen.

Organiser Jodie Langworthy said the proceeds of the day were still being counted, but the association was hoping to have made at least a thousand pounds in profit. She said: ’It was a brilliant day, and I hope everyone thoroughly enjoyed it.

’Thanks go to the committee for all their work leading up to and on the day, and everyone who came for supporting the event.’