MORE THAN one thousand people turned out in Lyme Regis to mark this year’s May Day fete.

The event, held last Sunday, May 3, was opened in style in front of the crowds by the town’s outgoing Mayor Sally Holman, who was accompanied by the Mayoress, Jane Whittington.

Organisers said that as well as strong visitor numbers there was also record number of stallholders, with more than 30 Lyme Regis organisations fundraising and raising awareness about their work on the day.

There was a whole host of entertainment provided by the town’s children, including displays from St Michael’s Primary School maypole dancers, the Honiton Gymnastic Club, Lyme Regis Taekwondo Club and the Lyme Regis Majorettes.

One of many highlights of the day was the presentation of awards for the carnival week programme cover competition.

Chloe Saltmarsh, aged 13, was announced as the winner of the competition and was given a prize of £100 cash along with book tokens generously donated by local bookshop Serendip.

Ele Saltmarsh, Paul and Jasmine Collins, Grace Tate, Morgan Carter, Ella Foxhall, Joe Swan, Ed Scott, and Eve and Grace Collins were also given VIP badges in recognition of the high standard of their entries.

During the afternoon, the name of the regatta and carnival committee’s new logo was also revealed, with ‘Cobby’ the duck, suggested by Mr and Mrs Graham Snarr, being selected.

There was also an announcement about progress with this year’s Lyme Regis carnival week taking place from August 1-9, which will be focusing on Cobby and his duck friends as well as featuring several new events.

Andy Brown, chairman of the regatta and carnival committee which organised the fete, said of the day: “We are so lucky to have such talented children in Lyme Regis, they entertained an enthusiastic crowd throughout the afternoon while stallholders indicated that they had raised good sums of money for their organisation.

“Early figures suggest that over £1500 was raised during the afternoon, and we are grateful to them all for coming.”