Children show off the t-shirts they decorated at the Arc Theatre stand (30755/05)WEST WILTS SHOW 2005: BELLS rang out from the Warminster marquee at the West Wilts Show as the town crier gave guests his traditional rousing cheer.

Phil Seddon, the popular town crier, gave both a warm and very vocal welcome to visitors who came along to enjoy the festivities.

Mr Seddon was joined in the town tent by members of the Warminster Civic Trust, who held a raffle to raise funds for their latest community project.

The 'blue plaque trail,' organised with Warminster Town Council, will see blue plaques placed on buildings of historic interest throughout the town.

There was a recurring French connection throughout the marquee and representatives from Warminster's twin town, Flers, were on hand to greet the public.

The Gallic theme continued in the tent throughout the weekend and Caf Journal, the town's French restaurant, was awarded the £1,000 first prize for best new business.

Amongst the other stalls in the town tent were Wiltshire College, the Women's Institute and staff from Warminster's popular gym Busybodies brought along an exercise bike for people to try out.

The Imperial Charity held a children's toy tombola and sold tea and cakes, helping to raise £410 for mentally handicapped residents of Warminster and its satellite villages.

"The event really helped to raise our profile," said Imperial organiser David McCance.

See this week's Wiltshire Times for a seven-page guide to the West Wilts Show 2005