ONE of the world's oldest crops was celebrated at a special Watercress Fair held in Alresford.

Record crowds attracted by the summer sun helped make the event one of the most memorable in years, with many producers selling out of all their goods.

The fair was opened by local celebrity gardener Charlie Dimmock, while fellow celebrity and chef Anthony Worrell-Thompson was also on hand to teach people the best ways to cook watercress.

Among other highlights of the fair, held at Pinglestone Watercress Farm, were a guided tour of the springwater-fed beds in which watercress is grown, and a taste of the now famous locally produced watercress beer.

Also popular were the various tasting tables where visitors could sample everything from watercress ice-cream to watercress chocolate.

A spokesman for the organisers, said: "The fair has been a huge success.

"We think there may have been about 5,000 people there, which is excellent news.

"All the Hampshire watercress producers have done a roaring trade, with many sold out completely because they had underestimated how popular their products would be."