A VILLAGE community is celebrating after a popular festival raised nearly £20,000 for local good causes.

The biennial Milton Abbas 18th Century Street Fair enjoyed a bumper year with just under 7,000 visitors to the picturesque Dorset village on the day.

The Echo-backed event saw more than 150 stalls lining the streets and a whole range of traditional entertainment.

Many got into the spirit of the day by dressing in 18th century costumes.

Chairman of the organising committee Dave Morley said the event could not have gone any better.

He said: "It was a great day, the weather was perfect as opposed to the day before and the day after when we were setting up and clearing up."

Mr Morley said that the street fair raised a total of £19,950, which will be distributed to local clubs, organisations and good causes such as the local church, sports clubs, scouts and cubs, schools and almshouses.

He said that the event took a long time to plan and prepare and he was full of praise for his fellow committee members for all the hard work they had put in.

Mr Morley, who is stepping down as chairman of the committee following this year's street fair, said: "It takes about 18 months to set it all up and it was a fairly new committee so they all did very well."

He also thanked all the various volunteers and everyone who had helped on the day to ensure the event all ran smoothly.

The street fair included a range of entertainment for all ages as well as a children's procession and performance with the theme of nature.

There was also storytelling, singing and dance performances including Morris, clogging, historic and Steps in Time – a group of young people performing dances from the 18th century.

Demonstrations on the day also included blacksmithing, Dorset button making, lace making and hurdle making.

The village's iconic white thatched cottages were open to be viewed and there were stalls offering a range of products including handcrafted bird and insect boxes and handmade glass jewellery.