THE annual Island Park Party in Hatherleigh took place last Saturday, with live music from the Cornish Wurzells.

The party is the biggest fundraiser for the Hatherleigh Carnival, which takes place on November 12. Each year the carnival committee need to raise between £6,000 and £7,000 to run the event.

Hatherleigh Carnival press secretary Kay Stevens said: 'The Cornish Wurzells were a big hit, pulling in crowds far and wide, encouraging people to dance and sing along with them. It really tied the farm theme together and made the evening enjoyable.'

Farmer Graham Reddaway brought two prize-winning sheep to the party, helping to raise carnival funds by inviting partygoers to guess their weight.

He said: 'I've never seen Island Park so full of people and the Cornish Wurzells were brilliant, they really made the evening a success!

'The fundraising we do is essential as costs of running the carnival increases every year.'

As well as the Cornish Wurzells, there were duck races, ram roast and hog roast, and lit torches as seen at the carnival, along with a variety of games and stalls.

Carnival president Syd Newcombe unveiled the carnival queen, Miss Hannah Anstey, and carnival prince and princess, Zak Spears and Amy Conner.

The money raised by the party is still being counted. Wendy Mander, who is on the committee for the first time, said: 'It's my first year on the carnival committee and I am amazed at the support the carnival gets from the community.

'It is so nice to know that people are keen to keep this local tradition alive.'

Organisers expressed thanks to everyone who made the Island Park Party such a success. Steve and Sandra Brock expressed special thanks to everyone who voted for their children in the carnival prince and princess categories, both finishing as runners-up in the category.