PEOPLE from Whitchurch communities across the country visited North Hampshire last weekend for an event to celebrate their namesake.

The inaugural Worldwide Whitchurch Weekend kicked off in Whitchurch, Hampshire, with 14 different communities with the same name represented - including one from Canada.

The event started with a procession through the town on Friday as people gathered for a vintage car parade.

On the Saturday there were various sports tournaments held with teams and individuals from the different Whitchurches competing against each other. There were also family events including a birds of prey display and a bake-off competition.

The fun continued on Sunday with guided walks around the town along with a special church service at All Hallows.

Paul Driver, who came up with the idea for the celebration, said: “We were looking for something unique – there’s all these Whitchurches so why don’t we get them all together?

“Everyone has come together which is great. We wanted to raise the profile of Whitchurch and I think we have done that.”