THOUSANDS of animal lovers flocked to actor Martin Clunes’s Buckham Fair at Beaminster .

They watched displays and competitions but also tucked into food and enjoyed fairground rides and entertainment at the fourth annual dog and pony show.

The sun was shining on Sunday as the 11-hour extravaganza got underway to raise money for Julia’s House Children’s Hospice.

Actor Martin, who stars in ITV’s Doc Martin, organises the fundraiser with wife Philippa and a committee of volunteers. He took part in displays and judged contests.

He also posed for pictures and signed autographs for donations to the hospice.

Philippa said: “We’ve been really lucky with the weather and had a fantastic day.

“There were more people than ever before and we’ve raised a lot of money for the charity. Everyone had a fantastic time when they got here and it’s been really well supported and it was a really great day.”

She apologised to people who became stuck in traffic as a result of the Beaminster Tunnel closure.

“We had a real problem with the traffic which was difficult for people and I’m really sorry about that but a lot of that was to do with Beaminster Tunnel being closed.

“I would like to apologise to anyone who was stuck in a hot car. Next year we will have a rethink about parking to try and ease the situation.”

This year there were more trade stands, more food stands, a bigger fun fair, more dog classes and more displays. Among those were a dog agility show, a display by the guide dogs, TV and stunt dogs and the Wessex Heavy Horse Society’s heavy horse musical drive.

Martin said the event was sensational and thanked everyone who attended.

He said: “I love it. You literally don’t stand still all day long.

“It has been sensational.”

Last year the fair raised more than £22,000 for the Weldmar Hospicecare Trust but Martin said he hopes to raise even more this time. Money raised from this year’s event is still being counted.