Jennie Smith, the balloon seller - several more pictures can be seen in today's print version of the Bolton Evening News

COMMUNITY spirit was out in force for Egerton and Eagley Heritage Society's first ever Victorian Fun Day.

Hundreds of people turned out in blazing sunshine on Saturday to enjoy the attractions laid on by the society, which was only formed in September.

As well as traditional side shows such as children's rides, a Punch and Judy Show, coconut shy and music from a street organ there were displays from Bolton Mountain Rescue, the Fire Service, and the British Red Cross.

Entertainment was provided by Lorenzo the Clown and the Bourbon Street Roof Raisers Jazz Band and there were competitions in bowling, five a side football and tug of war. The day's fun, which was started by the Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Alan Wilkinson was rounded off by a disco, karaoke and beer festival, with trophies presented by MP David Crausby.

Period costumes borrowed from an amateur dramatic society were donned by local people to add to the Victorian atmosphere.

Delighted organisers started planning the event in Egerton Park at Christmas and hope the event will raise cash towards the restoration of the derelict park keeper's house and shop as well as bringing the community together and making them realise what an asset the park can be.

The house was condemned in the 1960s but the Heritage Society are hoping to convert the building into a centre where the village's history can be celebrated and to provide an interesting base for the area's youth.

Society vice-chairman Eric Heaton was thrilled to see the park being so well used.

"The older people in the village have said this is how it used to be," he said. "They used to call this Little Blackpool.

"People in the village have really shown an awful lot of interest and encouragement," added one of the fun day's organisers Mavis Whitham.

"We even ordered the weather, but in fact we could have done with it being a little bit cooler."

The society are hoping to hold more events in the future to raise the over £100,000 they need to restore the park house and are thinking about holding more Victorian fairs in coming years.