RICHARD Curtis, the new rector of the Cannings and Redhorn team, was able to let people of Urchfont know face to face that he is not the writer of The Vicar of Dibley, when he opened the village fete on Saturday.

The Rev Curtis, who was installed at a service at All Cannings on June 8, will live in Royal Wootton Bassett rather than in his own parishes as his wife Jane has become vicar in the north Wiltshire town.

Writing in the parish newsletter he said: "If anyone has tried Google to find out who I am then you might have found details of my namesake, the screenwriter famous for films such as Four Wedding and a Funeral and television series such as The Vicar of Dibley, I’m sorry to disappoint but that’s not me but I do enjoy my namesake's work."

On Saturday he was centre of attention in Urchfont in his own right when the village church and the school's parent association joined forces for a traditional fete with a modern twist.

Youngsters from the school choir sang and took part in Maypole dancing but there was also a Britain's Got Talent-style show and there was old fashioned fun from a tug of war and splat the rat.

Vera Chapman, who has lived in the village for many years, arrived in a vintage Bentley as the village kept the tradition of having an older resident as queen after a 90-year-old took the part last year to help celebrate Queen Elizabeth IIs birthday.

Matt Brocklesby from the parent association said: "It was a really fantastic day and we want to thank everyone who supported us. The weather could not have been better.

"The highlight for the children was probably the water battle that happened at the end and helped them cool down. Most of the adults stayed at a safe distance but a few joined in."

Churchwarden Chris Grant, who helped run a bottle stall, was equally pleased.

He said: "We raised about £2,000 last year which was split between the church and the school and I am hopeful we will beat that this time. There seemed to be a lot more people.

"It was lovely that Richard Curtis could be here to open the fete. At about 4pm he told me he ought to go home to write his sermon for the next day but at 6pm he was still here. I think people were very pleased to meet him."