TO celebrate its tenth year Rowdeford Garden Fair committee have organised a celebrity for a day competition and would like gazette readers to choose a winner.

Children from the six special schools in Wiltshire were invited to take part in the competition and had to submit a piece on why they like gardens.

Pupils could demonstrate this in writing, drawing or a photograph, whichever suits their ability, and from the 20 entries submitted the garden fair committee have chosen five finalists.

On the day the winner will be picked up and driven to Rowdeford School where they will officially open this year’s fair.

Competition organiser Jeremy Sidmouth, whose wife Ingrid has been headteacher at Rowdeford for the past 11 years said: “This is a special occasion so we wanted someone special to open it but also have readers from the Gazette help us choose who this should be.

“The winner will be given VIP treatment with a red carpet rolled out for when they arrive, a guided tour along with cutting the ribbon to officially open the fair.”

Two finalists are from Rowdeford School, Zara Walker and Liam Considine, both 14, and three are from St Nicholas School; Kieran Walters, eight, Toby Vincent, 10, and Antonio Ellery, six. Entries from all the children who took part will also be displayed at the fair.

The garden fair is organised by the Rowdeford Charity Trust to raise awareness funds for innovative projects at the school to advance the education of children with special needs.

To vote for your favourite email sidmouth8@btinternet.com or send entries to Rowdeford School, Rowde, Devizes, SN10 2QQ by midday on May 11 titled celebrity for a day competition.

This year’s fair is being held on May 17 at Rowdeford School, starting at 11am.

Tickets are £4, with children under 16 free. For advanced tickets, which will allow entry at 10am, email Maggie Moore at maggiemoore@firenet.uk.net or call 01249 814979.

For more information about the garden fair go to www.rowdefordcharity.org.uk/garden_fair.html