AN array of young Disney characters at the Lyneham and Bradenstoke summer fete helped to raise nearly £2,000 for church maintenance on Saturday.

St Michael’s church in Lyneham, which dates from the later 14th and 15th centuries, and St Mary’s church, built in 1866, in Bradenstoke will both benefit from the money raised throughout Saturday afternoon in glorious weather.

Proceedings were kicked off by a jazz band performance with visitors also enjoying the home-made cakes, stalls, a bouncy castle, face-painting and a children’s corner.

Secretary to the events team of St Michael's Church, Jenny May, said: “The fun dog show proved very popular and there were some proud junior owners winning rosettes with their family pets.

“The children’s fancy dress competition was a great success with some beautiful Disney outfits. It was all the fun of the fair throughout the afternoon.

“It was a brilliant day. The upkeep of the buildings like St Michael’s and St Mary’s costs a lot of money.”

St Michael’s church was also open throughout the afternoon so that everyone could enjoy the work displayed by local artists as well as being able to spend a few minutes in the peaceful surroundings of the beautiful historic church.

Wiltshire councillor for Lyneham, Alison Bucknell, tweeted: “Well done to all those who clearly worked very hard to make Lyneham Church Fair enjoyable and hopefully profitable.”