Preparations for this year’s Salcombe Regis Fair are well underway. Organisers are looking for donations for the popular bric-a-brac sale that forms a central part of the event.

The Fair, which is in its 46th year, takes place on Thursday May 31 which in days gone by was early closing day in Sidmouth. The event takes over the village and churchyard with stalls, sideshows and entertainment.

“The whole village comes together for it. The streets are closed and people let us use their gardens for teas, for book stalls, for sideshows and we use the whole of the churchyard,” said event chairman Mike Newman.

Proceeds from the event are divided between the church and different local charities selected by the congregation. This year money will be going to Sidmouth Living with Cancer, Sid Valley Memory Café Admiral Nurse Campaign, Sidmouth Hospiscare and Sidmouth Surf Lifesaving Club. Organisers hope to raise around £7,000.

The Fair starts at 2pm with the ringing of the church bells and for the first time this year there will be musical entertainment from The Gittisham Hall Jazz band. Inside the church there will be a flower display. Stalls will sell everything from cakes, books, antiques, jewellery, pictures, toys and plants.

“It’s all in the open air so we are hoping for good weather,” Mike said. “It’s amazing that people come from up country just for the fair.”

There will be a coconut shy, face painting and games and competitions as well as the famous raffle, on which the fundraising effort greatly depends. Teas, coffees, ice creams, cakes and hotdogs will be on sale.

“It’s such a happy afternoon particularly on a fine day and there’s plenty of bargains for everyone,” Mike added.

At the end of the day the big prize raffle will be drawn and the fair finishes at 5pm.

There is a free bus service running down into the village from the Salcombe Regis Recreation Field at the top of the hill where visitors can park their cars for free.

Anyone with items for sale can donate them by calling either Mike Newman on 01395 513313 or Robin Laird on 01395 513948 who will arrange collection.