FANTASTIC weather and a wider range of activities and entertainment helped to make the Bampton Open Day the best in years.

Bampton town councillor Lucie Moore, who co-organised the event, said it was an opportunity for local groups and charities to raise funds.

Children line the river bed to catch the ducks Marcus Thompson MDG300810_MT05_23
Children line the river for the duck race Marcus Thompson MDG300810_MT05_26
Families and children watch the floating teddy bears Marcus Thompson MDG300810_MT05_16
A teddy bear makes its way from the top of the church Marcus Thompson MDG300810_MT05_14
Barman Luke Phillips with just one of the 12 local beers on sale at the festival Marcus Thompson MDG300810_MT05_05
Trying to catch a teddy Marcus Thompson MDG300810_MT05_20
Waiting for the teddies to arrive Marcus Thompson MDG300810_MT05_15
The 10km runners start the race with an uphill sprint out of town Marcus Thompson MDG300810_MT05_03
Sue Lee raffles off teddy bears to raise funds for Riverside Hall Marcus Thompson MDG300810_MT05_11
Leslie Hartlet volunteered to serve tea and cakes at the Riverside Hall Marcus Thompson MDG300810_MT05_09
Air traffic control for the teddies is under the command of Ken Smith and Mike Hatchet Marcus Thompson MDG300810_MT05_21
Andy Burton, Dawn Goodwin and Tracey Holmes sing some golden oldies Marcus Thompson MDG300810_MT05_13

But money raised for the "central pot" would be spent on refurbishing the well-used children's playground near the Station Road car park.

"We had some funding but we needed £30,000 for the playground overhaul and we were £10,000 short," said Miss Moore. "The money will be spent on resurfacing and some new equipment."

Miss Moore, who has been involved with the annual open day for four years, said this year's event, on bank holiday Monday, had been the best.

"It was a bright, beautiful day and there was more going on," said Miss Moore. "It was well supported by local people and we had people, including holidaymakers, coming from all over the place too. There was a good atmosphere."

She hoped that more businesses would get involved next year, as quite a few were not open and missed out on the crowds.

The Quarrymans Rest was certainly not one of those. The pub held a popular mini beer festival as well as a hog roast and barbecue.

Landlord Paul Berry also helped to organise the Quarrymans Trail, a 10km run.

Mr Berry said: "It's quite tough, but 70 to 80 people competed in it.

"The whole open day was hugely successful. Bampton seemed incredibly busy and quite a lot of money was raised."

The Rotary Club organised a duck race and second-hand book fair which is understood to have generated about £700.

There was music and dancing at the Riverside Hall, with performances by the Tiverton Majorettes and The Doones among others. The performing acts donated their time and helped the hall to raise £600.

The producers' market and café raised £500 and a car boot sale made £120. The Blue Cross ran a dog show which made £250.

The bell ringers organised teddy bear parachute jumping off the church. The total amount raised through all the activities has not yet been confirmed.