A RECORD number of people enjoyed a fun-packed range of activities at a sun-soaked Ashtead Village Day.

Up to 8,000 people were bathed in glorious sunshine for the Ashtead Rotary Club event on Saturday.

HEAVY WEAPON: Royal Marines Volunteer Cadet Corps give a field gun demonstration Photo No: RSMak120610-C04 by Alec Kingham
MILITARY: Emma and Mark Heaney with Ella, 4, Samuel, 9, and Jasmine, 6, on Kevin Rowlatt's 1942 jeep RSMak120610-C07
DANCE: Ewell St Mary Morris Dancers performed in the main arena RSMak120610-C05
CLASSIC: Vintage cars were on display Photo No: RSMak120610-C08 by Alec Kingham
QUACK PACK: Welsh farmer Meirion Owen and his performing ducks Photo No: RSMak120610-C02
RAT RACE: Councillor John Northcott
TANK: A 432 Rarden infantry vehicle paraded The Street
AWARD: Broadcaster Nicholas Owen presents Bryan Elphick with his Community Service Award at Ashtead Village Day
PARADE: Broadcaster Nicholas Owen took part in the procession
SUMMER: May Pole dancing at Ashtead Village Day

Broadcaster Nicholas Owen officially launched the 27th annual event.

He told The Advertiser: "I have never seen anything like it.

"I get to go to a lot of local events and they are all fun and I admire enormously what people are prepared to do but this was amazing to me.

He added: "I take my hat off to the people of Ashtead and the surrounding area."

Mr Owen was driven in a 1957 Ford Thunderbird as part of the Grand Ashtead Day procession.

Crowds lined the streets and waved as classic cars, vintage buses and military vehicles travelled from The Street to the recreation ground in Barnett Wood Lane.

Crowds gathered round the main arena as community service awards were handed to deserving recipients including Bryan Elphick, a local businessman and lead performer for The Ewell St Mary morris dancers.

Local bobby PC Jason Woods and Val Hickmott of Ashtead girl guides also picked up community service awards.

Tim Ashton of Ashtead Rotary Club, who helped organise the event, declared the day a great success.

He said: "I think it is our best ever. Apparently we have had record numbers coming through the gates so it has been very good."

This year's event had a military theme and spectators enjoyed a variety of performances in the main arena, including the Army Medical Corps Band and the Royal Marines Cadet Drill Team.

The cadet's colour sergeant Chris Spratt said: "It is our first time here but we hope to come back some time in the future. It has been an enjoyable day."

Other entertaining acts included dog shows, Meirion Owen's performing ducks, The Poptastic dancers, a Maypole dance by pupils from Barnett Wood School and a football demonstration by children from Downsend School.

Mum Alex Chipping of Cobham Road, Fetcham, brought her son Ethan and daughter Mia, who performed with The Poptastic dancers.

She said: "We had a great time. Seeing my daughter dance was the highlight. It was fantastic."

And Angela McGonigle, of Greville Park Road, Ashtead, said: "I have really enjoyed it. I loved the ducks and liked to see the Morris dancers.

"It was just such a lovely atmosphere and every year it just gets better. It's great."