A SPECIAL celebrity guest was on hand at the weekend to set the annual Montacute church fair off to a great start.

Actor Denis Lill, whose career spans near 40 years and who is currently starring in ITV medical drama The Royal, opened the festivities in the grounds of Montacute House on Saturday.

The St Catherine's Church Fête then followed all its usual traditions, with entertainment ranging from country dancing by All Saints' Primary School pupils to morris dancing from the Wyvern Jubilee Morris Dancers and singing from The Village Voices Choir.

Younger visitors could enjoy a bouncy castle, a human fruit machine game, face painting and shows by the Martock Puppet Team. There were also stalls and refreshments, including a barbecue.

All eyes were back on Denis Lill as he crowned the Montacute Carnival prince and princess ahead of next weekend's parade. Caroline Lewars, one of the organising committee, invited Mr Lill as a family friend. She said: "He's an old friend from when we both lived in East Chinnock.

"His wife and I used to co-chair the playgroup and we've kept in touch.

"When we were thinking about someone who could come along and open the fête for us, I thought of him and it was very nice of him to agree.

"The event went very well. The only problem was a bit of rain in the afternoon, but we had some clear skies before and afterwards, and we still had a great turn out.

"The National Trust has been kind enough to let us use the grounds of the house for the last ten years, which provides a great setting."

The event raised funds for St Catherine's Church. The total amount is yet to be confirmed.