MOTHER nature certainly smiled down on a fun day held at a Southampton school.

The sun shone throughout St Monica Infant School's summer fair which took place in the grounds of the Bay Road, Sholing, school yesterday.

Children, parents, grandparents and school staff enjoyed free arena events, a fire engine and police car visit, grand balloon launch and various stalls and side shows.

There was also a treasure hunt, pony rides, a barbecue and displays by the Horizon gym team, Taekwondo South and Pat Stanford's Dancers.

But there was also a serious side to the event as guests donated money for the Hampshire Race for Life which takes place next weekend.

Four parents of pupils in the school's Year One have died from cancer since last September.

More than 75 staff, parents and youngsters are taking part in next Sunday's race on Southampton Common to raise money for Cancer Research UK and to remember those who have died.

Lynda Bailey, a parent who helped to organise a collection at the fun day, said the event was a huge success.

She added: "We did have 70 running in the race, but now we've got about 77, which proves how compassionate they are, being such a tiny school."

HSBC Bank pledged to match whatever is raised in donations, which looked set to be well over £100.