THE community came out in force as a Malvern village's annual fete returned.

An estimated 1,000 people came out for the Malvern Wells Village Fete, with organisers saying they are "stunned" by the turnout.

Families came out to St Wulstan's Village Green to see live music, dancing, arts and crafts and food, all to raise money for good causes.

Highlights of the afternoon were two live bands -The Malvern Chase Brass band, lead by Peter Soley.

They shared the afternoon with our regular Worcester Ukulele Club Band, lead by Allan Corder and the Lehulani Hula Dancers, who attracted a large and enthusiastic audience when they danced to traditional Hula music.

The Classic Car Show attracted 55 cars from the earliest Austin to the latest top-of-the-range sports and all electric vehicles.

The group of children’s classic pedal cars attracted a lot of attention as did four brightly painted classic camper vans and three classic motorbikes.

The classic cars competed for four trophies in their age classes as voted by the public.

Refreshments were provided by Miss Piggy’s Hog Roast who stepped in at the last minute, Wells and Wyche WI tea and cakes and Friday Beer.

A highlight of the Arena events was the Dog Show where owners and their pets competed to persuade the Curate of All Saints Church, the Rev Pete Meyers, that they were “The Dog the Judge Would Most Like to Take Home”.

The Village Fete is a not-for-profit community event organised by the Malvern Wells Parish Council’s Events Group, a group of councillors and volunteers chaired by Ian Burrage with Howard Allen organising the Classic Cars.

Most of the stalls were fundraising for charities and the afternoon saw cash mraised for Malvern Community Hospital, The Midlands Air Ambulance, Alzheimer’s Research UK, the Malvern Food Bank and Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Cllr Tonya O'Donnell, one of the organisers, said: "It really is amazing to see our local community come together to contribute and show up to enjoy themselves.

"This year was definitely our best yet and we aim to make next year just as good or better."