Entertainment from across the world at Hotham Park country fair

The return of the Hotham Park country fair reduced the globe to

the size of the town's most popular open space.

The fair combined new and old favourites to pull in the crowds on Saturday, August 8 and Sunday, August 9.

Among the star attractions were Leo and Bear, nine-year-old Suffolk Punch horses.

The gorgeous animals '“ 17.2 hands and 18 hands high '“ pulled a wagon with ten passengers aboard for nine-and-a-half minute return rides from the park's boating lake to the London Road coach park.

People of all ages queued for 20 minutes or so for the chance to climb aboard the wooden wagon for the trip back in time.

Among them were Julia Shorrock-Freestone, 30, her husband John and their daughter, Amelia, four.

Mr Shorrock-Freestone, 29, of The Byeway, Aldwick, said: "The horses are a star attraction.

"The ride was something different. It's not the sort of thing you do every day and Amelia loves horses."

Aside from Leo and Bear, the family's best times at the fair were the reptile-handling sessions run by Noah's Ark, in which they could handle a tortoise, and the make and take away stall. Amelia turned some plaster of paris into a dolphin which she could keep.

The typical sight of the English countryside contrasted with the

oriental martial arts displays by the Kyushin Ryu Ju-Jitsu Club next to the fair's arena.

The youngest of the 12 who were showing their techniques, on their specially-laid Japanese flooring, was Paddy Chapman, 12, a 2007 British champion, of Littlehampton. The holder of a purple belt, two away from the coveted black belt, said: "I used to get bullied at school and I thought it would be a good idea to come to a club to learn how to protect myself.

"This is the first time I've shown my techniques in public like this and it's good fun. We're showing people our throws, kicks, punches and hits as well as the use of weapons, such as wooden sticks. It's not dangerous as long as you use the right techniques."

In the arena in front of the bandstand the Bognor Regis International Dance Ensemble wowed the crowds.

Its eight members, aged six to 16, entertained the audience of some 200 people with traditional English dances such as Sussex Cottage, Jenny Plucked Pears and The Hop Pickers' Feast.

The dancers included Bethany Carpenter and Amber Carrott, both aged nine.

"It's my first time dancing here. I'm looking forward to the dancing. It's really fun and I don't feel a bit nervous," Bethany said before the display.

She has belonged to BRIDE, run by Janet Douglas, for three years and Amber has been a member for two. Amber said: "It's not hard remembering the dances, because we learn them really well, and it's not tiring dancing them."

Before them in the arena were the exotic colours and music of the Aziza Egyptian Dance Team with their vibrant display.

Other acts on Saturday included Trevor Jennings with his traditional Punch and Judy show, The Ace Tones and 50s and 60s rock'n'roll classics, the Regis Jazz Band, Four Bassoons and a Sombrero of students from the University of Chichester and Southern Starlights pom pom troupe.

Sunday featured a return to the fair for singer Alexis Twine. The last time she was a busker. This time she was one of the star acts in the afternoon with a range of songs from show tunes to modern pop and jazz music.

Dragon Fly Dance's young members performed a Michael Jackson Thriller tribute, acoustic music came from the Mark Deakin Duo and the Curtain Call show group provided a rousing finale.

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