FAMILIES flocked to Old Town for a sunny day full of food, music and action at Christ Church.

The Old Town Autumn Fayre returned this weekend with more than 40 stalls with crafts, face painting, bouncy castles and more to support charities.

Visitors spent the day walking around Christ Church as temperatures hit 25C.

Children played games, including hook a duck or splat the rat.

Mum Debbie Jones, 39, said: “We live locally and thought we would pop in and see what it is like.

"It’s really nice to have this event, kids like it, they like the food. It good to have a little bit of community events going on, you get much of it.”

Bob Manning, 73, from Stratton said: “It’s a nice thing for the town, it’s local, and most of stuff has been produced by the people who live in the area.”

Community centre administrator at Christ Church Chris Smith was running the event for the first time.

He said: “It’s a bit of organisation but it all ran smoothly and it was a beautiful day.

“We wanted to engage the community with Christ Church and the Community Centre. The money raised will be reinvested in the church and for activities like this in the future.

“But it’s not about money. This was about having a good day for people and promoting groups in Old Town.

“It’s a great community event, quite focused on families, but for all ages.”

The fayre was an opportunity for stallholders to raise money for charity.

Former Miss Wiltshire Nicole Analise Cox, 23, ran a tombola to support mental health charity MIND.

She said: “As a beauty queen, I like to support as many causes as I can.

“But Mind has a personal relevance to me because a couple years ago I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression.

"I've recovered from depression as far as I know, but I still have anxiety, so I understand the struggle that some people go through every day.

“So, I advocate for better mental health awareness, especially in the workplace, and Mind provides lots of different services..”

Volunteers took visitors up the 46-steps of Christ Church’s tower and people could have a go at ringing the bells. And there were heritage stalls to learn more about Swindon’s history.

Chair of the Friends of Christ Church Caroline Pitt said: “We like to get people into the church building because in medieval times it was the only place big enough to get together, so the more people who come in, the better.”