A staggering £99,000 was raised at this year’s Buckham Fair.

The annual event at Buckham Down, near Beaminster, smashed all past fundraising efforts, meaning good news for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, this year’s nominated charity.

Hosted by Martin Clunes and his wife Philippa, the event returned to the fields of west Dorset for a ninth year, bringing with it a bumper crop of the best of country life.

Organisers say this year’s show had more than 120 exhibitors and drew in more than 15,000 visitors.

Mr Clunes said: “Our intention, through Buckham Fair, was to support local charities in our area who are changing lives daily. Following the huge success we saw in 2016, we were hoping to be able to better the funds raised this year, and we did it.

“Buckham Fair, which has been running for nine years now, keeps getting bigger and better and sees support from all over the world. We are extremely proud of the continued support we receive from sponsors, exhibitors, suppliers, volunteers and visitors who give up so much of their time, and money, to join our cause.

“We are also especially thankful to the continued support from the Barclays volunteer team that contributed to this day being such a success.”

Crowds at this year’s fair were in high spirits, despite a grey day.

They were entertained by a host of displays including the Royal Navy Volunteer band, a Camargue horse display and the popular Quack Pack Dog and Duck display.

Mr Clunes was even reunited with former Men Behaving Badly star Neil Morrissey, and the pair teamed up in the ring to judge the ‘which dog most looks like Neil Morrissey’ competition.

Bill Sivewright, Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance chief executive officer, said: “Once again, as well as giving the dog and horse fans a real treat, Buckham Fair provided something for everyone and we saw nothing but smiling faces throughout the day. Of course, by the end of the day they were wet smiling faces, but that didn’t seem to matter.

“Given that the average cost of a mission is £3,000, we are incredibly grateful on their behalf, that this amazing donation will help our critical care team to reach 22 patients. That’s potentially 22 lives saved. What a gift.”