HUNDREDS of people turned out to Fordingbridge's Golden Jubilee Family Fun Day at the town's recreation ground.

One of the highlights of the colourful event on Monday was the fancy dress raft race along the River Avon by the sports field.

Up to ten teams competed, some in zany crafts, with competitors pelting each other with eggs and flour bombs.

There was also a regatta along the same stretch of river, with the start just south of The George pub.

Earlier in the day scores of children, led by Hyde Band, paraded in their fancy dress along Normandy Way and the High Street before turning into the recreation ground.

The fun day also saw youngsters smashing crockery for charity, lobbing wet sponges at their parents and hooking ducks for prizes.

The historic market town had gone Golden Jubilee crazy over the extended bank holiday - with Union Jacks displayed at homes and shops, and there were also a number of street parties.

One of the climaxes of the four-day extravaganza was on Saturday night, when an estimated 1,500 people turned up at the recreation ground for a picnic-in-the-park music concert, waving flags and singing along patriotically to anthems like Rule Britannia and Jerusalem.

Then, in a final flourish, the skies above the riverside town were lit up with a stunning display of fireworks.

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