HUGE crowds had fun in the sun as they got a taste of agriculture, horticulture and business at this year’s Kingston Maurward College Open Day and Country Fair.

Yesterday’s event was the biggest yet featuring a brand new layout.

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An overflow car park had to be set up after people flocked to the Dorchester college to see what was on offer.

This year’s activities centred on the eighteenth century house, terrace, lake and gardens. The site included a dog zone and an equine area. Live music, trade stands, and locally-produced food were just some of the delights for visitors to enjoy.

Displays were also put on by the college’s outdoor adventure and sports coaching team.

One of the day’s aims was to allow prospective students the opportunity to find out about courses, but it also provides an enjoyable day out for families.

Visitors were taken around the campus to see activities including farmyard tours, kayaking, animal handling, high ropes and a zip wire.

The equine arena hosted jump displays and dressage demos whilst the dog zone featured a dog show.

Animal encounters at the Animal Park also proved to be popular, with talks on alpacas and hawks attracting crowds.

The event came just a week after the college unveiled plans for an £850,000 state-of-the-art glasshouse project.

Students will get to learn and grow plants in two new glasshouses in the horticultural field.

Visitors were also able to witness the work carried out so far on a new £2.3million science block which will house an Animal Sciences Centre.

Clare Davison, principal of Kingston Maurward College, said they had an extremely successful day.

She said: “People that have been here have been able to see just what these new developments mean to the college.

“The college continues to thrive and to invite more and more people to the campus to see what we do.”