THE annual Eggardon kite festival was another soaraway success this year with perfect weather and hordes of enthusiastic kite-flyers, kite-makers and kite-watchers enjoying the spectacle.

Organiser Buffy Turner said: "We had lots of people and it was a fantastic day. We could have had the weather on Friday, Saturday or Monday but it turned out fantastic on Sunday.

"We missed a year for foot and mouth but otherwise this would have been our 10th year, I think. The atmosphere was fabulous - the piper, Louis Finley, from Netherbury, piped his heart out for about two hours, which for one set of lungs is pretty good going! We had folk musicians and a huge selection of kites, you never know what you are going to get but there was a huge selection. We also had lots and lots of dogs, there were more breeds and types than I have ever seen anywhere in my life before, and someone suggested we should run a dog show as a sideline next year!"

The barbecue sold out, the bar had to send out for more beer and rivalry was keen for the kite-making competitions with Connie Campbell, from near Chard, winning the Wytherston Trophy for the best home-made kite that flew.

Early indications are that the fundraising side of the day was as successful as last year, which raised £2,500. Money will go to Powerstock Hut, the Weir Sports Group, Powerstock School and the air ambulance.

Mrs Turner was helped with the organisation by fellow committee members Nick Poole, 'Spanner' Ward and Annie Crutchley.