THE SMELL of hot doughnuts and fried bacon filled the air, stalls brimmed over with goods of all sorts and everywhere you looked the bright lights of the fairground lit up the streets —even the sun came out again for Tavistock Goose Fair.

The event, which dates from the 12th Century, never fails to draw the crowds, who travel from all over the South West to experience the unique atmosphere of the one-day spectacular.

As market traders sold their wares in the streets, up at the cattle market the traditional sale of geese was taking place. The fair stems from farmers bringing their geese ready for fattening for Christmas and in the past the fair was an opportunity for business and animal trading as well as being a chance to chat.

These days Goose Fair is still very much a social affair. Mary Lobb and four friends from Newquay come every year.

'We love it,' said Mary.

'We love looking at the stalls and seeing everybody. We chat to friends we see each year and the atmosphere is very friendly.'

Neighbourhood beat manager PC Simon Raeburn has clocked up his quarter of a century of patrolling Goose Fair now, prior to his retirement this December.

'It's changed a lot in those 25 years,' he said.

'At 9am it used to be packed with people but now you don't see so many people around at this time of the morning.

'The police no longer have control over the traffic — that is the job of the town council — so we can now concentrate our resources on foot patrol.

'It is really nice to be able to meet the people you would not normally talk to throughout the year.'

Town clerk Roger Howard, who has been involved in organising Goose Fair for the past eleven years, said all the traffic arrangements which include a park and ride service had worked well and the weather was nice which was a bonus.

'It will be packed today,' he said. 'It always is when the weather is good.

'Some people do not like Goose Fair because it affects their routine, but it is only one day in 365.

'Between 8,000 and 10,000 people come to see it, so it must be something special.'

Showman Dean Bailey said he expected lots of people to come over from Plymouth as well as the locals.

He said Goose Fair was a favourite — and many of the showman had a great deal of affection for it.

'There are only two goose fairs in the country and I would like to see a bit more of what the fair was originally about,' he said.

'Parading the geese through the street to open the fair would be good.'

Mr Bailey said years ago, Plymouthians used to come to Goose Fair to do their Christmas shopping but he believed it was less so nowadays.