It was all sunshine and fun for the long awaited return of the South Downs Green Fair.

More than 60 stall holders turned up on the day, as did over 2,500 visitors to the fair that raises funds for the Sustainability Centre at East Meon.

With children’s activities, live music, local crafts, guest speakers, and gourmet food, there was something for everyone.

A Sustainability Centre spokesman said: “The staff and volunteers have worked hard to get the fair up and running and to finally welcome our visitors back .

“We are all delighted it was such a great day.”

The fair is usually held in May, but because of the pandemic it was rescheduled and cancelled three times before it was finally held on Sunday (September 5).

And as is now the norm, the fair was once again a zero waste event.

The spokesman added: “Our Green Fair Charter is a promise from stall holders that they will recycle everything and not use things like one use plastic at our event.

“Our aim is to eliminate rubbish that goes to landfill, and to help achieve this we had colourful recycling facilities from Nifty Bins all over the fair.”

The fair included plenty of outdoor activities, including bushcraft demonstrations and outdoor cooking.

There were also a variety of free children’s activities, including circus skills workshops, as well as local food and drink stalls offering Fair Trade and organic wares.

And the Beech Cafe provided vegan and vegetarian ‘fast food’.

Local and national bands were on the fair stage, and there were presentations and talks from leading speakers on practical, greener ways of living.

It will be back to normal in 2022 when the fair will be held in spring again.

For details about the Sustainability Centre at East Meon visit the website at https://www.sustainability-centre.org