TEN terrific years of a country fair hosted by actor Martin Clunes will be marked this year.

Martin Clunes and his wife Philippa together with the committee have announced the details of the 2018 Buckham Fair – and it's set to be the best yet.

It will also be the last one for a while as organisers are taking a break next year.

The hope after this summer's event is to hand over a cheque for more than £100,000 towards building a brand new cancer centre in Dorchester.

The centre will save thousands of patients having to travel miles to get radiotherapy and other essential care for the first time.

Mr Clunes said: “We are so proud to support the appeal through Buckham Fair.

"Many of us have been affected by cancer, either personally or through those we love, so to be able to contribute to the brilliant work that the team at our own Dorset County Hospital is doing is a huge honour for us.”

The fair, which combines a dog and pony show with a food and craft fair showcasing regional producers, is held on the Clunes' land near Beaminster.

Huge sums are raised for good causes each year.

This year, Mr Clunes is set be reunited again with his Men Behaving Badly co-star Neil Morrissey, who has been invited to judge 'The Dog even more like Neil Morrissey competition'.

Mr Morrissey attended last year's event, which was a great success despite grey skies.

To mark the 10th anniversary a host of new events are being introduced including a World Guinness Record attempt to have the largest number of dogs sitting simultaneously on a command.

The Devil’s Horsemen Display Team will be performing and after a two year absence the Stunt Dogs of Film and TV will be returning with a brand new display – not to mention the Quack Pack duck herding display.

Visitors will also have the chance to enjoy a ariety of artisan, craft and other trade stands from local suppliers as well as a food court and beer tent. There’s a classic car display, a funfair and the opportunity to take part in all kinds of horse, pony and dog classes on the day.

Organisers say new measures are being taken this year to improve traffic movement following the 'challenges' last year.

They add that "after ten glorious years we have decided to take a break after this year’s fair and re-group".

This is to allow the land to recover and to "give our neighbours and the good people of Beaminster a break from the incredible patience they have shown us over the last decade".

Since the fair began organisers have raised £512,500 for the Weldmar Hospicecare Trust, Julia’s House Children’s Hospice and The Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance.

Gates open for the 2018 event at 9am on Sunday, August 19. Adults pay £8 and children under 16 go free.

For more information about visiting or sponsoring visit buckhamfair.co.uk