DAY-trippers and holidaymakers mingled with locals on Bank Holiday Monday as hundreds of people enjoyed the annual Southwold (Sole Bay) Lions fete.The event on Southwold Common has been held for many years and attracts people from a wide area.

DAY-trippers and holidaymakers mingled with locals on Bank Holiday Monday as hundreds of people enjoyed the annual Southwold (Sole Bay) Lions fete.

The event on Southwold Common has been held for many years and attracts people from a wide area.

A parade, led by the Southwold and Reydon Corps of Drums and including the newly-elected town mayor Sue Allen, marched from the Market Square to the common to officially open the fete.

Lions spokesman John Beckett said that once again the fete had beaten the drab weekend weather and helped raise funds for a number of good causes.

'We were a little worried early in the day as the weather was far from ideal but things improved as the day went on.

'We even had sunshine during the afternoon and everyone was having a fine time,' he said.

The fete is an important fundraiser for the Lions, but a number of local organisations, including charities and pre-school groups, have stalls at the event and raise funds for their own good causes.

'We were delighted to see so many local organisations once again supporting us and we know that the fete is very much part of their own fundraising'' said Mr Beckett.

'The Lions would like to thank everyone who supported the fete and look forward to seeing them again next year.'

Attractions on offer included donkey rides, bowling, Punch and Judy and a host of stalls and sideshows for all the family to enjoy.