BISHOPS Cannings festival got off to a winning start when a weekend of Olympic themed events were declared worthy of a gold medal.

The White Horse Samba drummers set the mood for the opening ceremony dinner on Friday night as people donned sports themed fancy dress.

Organiser Elizabeth Frearson said before the village festival was aimed at uniting the community and she felt they had succeeded. She said: "We have received nice thank-you letters from people who attended and had a lovely time meeting new people and catching up with old. That is what the uniting the community initiative is all about."

On Sunday the open farm event at the home of Jonny and Rachael Rider allowed people to get up close to livestock including holding newly hatched ducklings and scratching the backs of pigs.

There was also cowpat bingo, tractor rides, sheep sheering and the chance for youngsters to let off steam by climbing on bales. Mrs Frearson said: "It was fantastic to see so many kids climbing on tractors, combines and straw bales - really liberating but well supervised by stalwarts Charlie Rudler and Paul and Jason Linsley."

A dog show run by Kathy Crossfield and judged by Ed Davies was also a success. Mrs Frearson said: "The dog agility was great fun and the terrier racing was hilarious."

A mini music festival was also held on Sunday along with Bishops Cannings Got Talent.

Mrs Frearson said: "Those who went had a really excellent time, tucking into the festival food, dancing energetically."

She praised the judges who got into the mood of the TV show with phrases such as Simon Cowell's favourite saying of four big yesses. The final act of the competition Charlie Martin, singing, was declared the winner.

Mrs Frearson said: "It was fantastic to see so many people, each and every one a volunteer representing all parts of the Bishops Cannings Parish community including the school, the church and local businesses. Everyone is pulling together to give everyone in the community such a happy time."

Events continue next weekend when there will be sporting contests including a football tournament, cricket match and skittles. There will also be lectures on Bishops Cannings in World War II by Wiltshire Museum Director David Dawson and a Trip Down Memory Lane by Eric Clark a local historian and a chance to get a taste of bridge with local expert Andy Hill.

Bishops Cannings is historically associated with singing and bell ringing so the festival includes a Quarter Peal attempt on the oldest set of bells cast at the same time, 1602, in any tower in the United Kingdom.

For full information on all the events go to www.bcpf.moonfruit.com