MANY charities benefitted from a popular event at Lamerton — for four years the village has been raising funds for extensive repairs to St Peter's Church tower and this year it was decided to open up the tractor day to other local charities and to extend it to a country fair.

Apart from St Peter's, other charities were a lucky dip stall by Children's Hospice South West, a barbecue in aid of Cystic Fibrosis, the bar by Lamerton Village Hall, Lamerton WI with their cream teas and a number of activities run by the Scouts — a scale model LandRover for children to drive, an assault course and wellie throwing — raising funds for their trip to Africa. A bouncy castle and other stalls added to the enjoyment.

More than 30 tractors toured 16 miles of Devon lanes, including green lanes across farm land. Some pulled trailers filled with excited children and parents.

Francis Mudge — of Edwardian Farm — brought his threshing box and sheaves of wheat which were threshed.

In the adjoining field tractors gave a fine display of ploughing and cultivating the land.

A full size steam engine from the Robey Trust and a model engine were there as well as exhibits of old farm tools, chickens and a displays from Lamerton School and of Lamerton archive photographs.

The fun dog show was a great success.

County Cllr Debo Sellis gave a grant from her locality budget to help stage the fair and opened the event. She said: 'I hope that this show grows from strength to strength and I thank Lamerton community for asking me to join in their fun!'

The event raised just under £2,000 for the charities involved.

Thanks were expressed to the main organisers Jim Cole, Matthew Young and Ian Minshull, Mr and Mrs Roger Young for the use of their land, and all who worked so hard to give Lamerton a great day.