MORE than 1,200 people packed out Bournemouth’s Queen’s Park Academy at the weekend for its first-ever country fair.

The school, established in 2012, decided to organise the ambitious event as a replacement for a traditional summer fete.

It took place at the school’s campus in East Way, Bournemouth, on Saturday, and featured a birds of prey display, farmer’s market, pony rides, arena displays and a small animal cuddle corner.

Bournemouth mayor Cllr Christopher Mayne opened the event with the school’s head boy and head girl.

Queen’s Park Academy principal Alexandra Prout said: “The Year 6 children have been doing an enterprise project, so they have been running some of the stalls. It’s like a competition to see which stall makes the most money.

“Everyone seems to have had an amazing time. The PTA has worked phenomenally hard on this event.”

Proceeds from the fair will go towards new equipment for the school’s food technology room, including new computers.

Raffle prizes on the day included a signed Saints football shirt, £100 cash, hampers and family tickets for days out.

Children had grown sunflowers, made scarecrows, baked cakes and painted country scenes.

There was also face-painting, a stilt walker, balloon animals, a barbecue and other refreshments.