A RECORD number of visitors flocked to North Baddesley Village Day helping to boost cash for charities in the community.

Ex-Saints players Mark Dennis and Jim Steele opened the event and auctioned two tours of St Mary’s Stadium. The former footballers will accompany the lucky bidders when they look around the Saints ground.

More than 3,500 attended Saturday’s event on the recreation ground, which raised around £1,000 for village organisations.

Chair of the organising committee, Tracy Hickson, said: “We had a fantastic day with perfect weather and a record turnout. It was great to see the community coming together, having fun and raising lots of money for village causes.”

Arena displays included Romsey Old Cadets Carnival Showband dressed in pig costumes, Morris dancing, the Busta Groove Street dancing team and the birds of Extreme Falconry.

But the main attraction was the amazing canine running and catching of the Southampton-based Flying Foxes Flyball Club display team which delighted visitors.

This year’s programme of attractions included also included a fun dog show for the first time. It attracted more that 50 entries with categories covering the waggiest tail, best puppy, best dog and dog most like its owner. Cake makers could enter a bake-off contest. Joanne Cox was the winner of the Classic Cake and Best in Show, for which she received a chrome cupcake stand from Lauren Williams of Amazacake, North Baddesley. Winner of the showstopper class was Hollie Joyce and Ruby Millet took first place in the Afternoon Tea section.

Mrs Hickson said the committee had been inundated with positive feedback from people who attended the Village Day.

“We had so much feedback in person, via Facebook and email and everyone agrees it was the very best yet,” said Mrs Hickson.