Thatcham Family Fun Day on today (Sunday)

Thousands are expected to attend the event to see the junior fun run and a parade of vintage motor vehicles

Thousands are expected to descend on Thatcham this weekend for the town's annual family fun day.

The event will take place at Henwick Field, and will run from 11am until 4pm on Sunday with the junior fun run starting at 11.45am.

As well as the 1,500m junior fun run there will also be a 50m mini race for 3 to 5-year-olds and a 200m wheelchair race. Competitors can register on the day.

There will also be live dancing and the annual tug of war competition in the main arena.

The mascot race also returns with entrants including Thatcham Town Council's increasingly popular Cyril the squirrel and the Newbury Weekly News white rabbit.

Visitors can also enjoy live music from the likes of Cold Ash Brass Band.

If you've ever fancied turning your hand to hockey or rugby then Thatcham Hockey Club and Thatcham Rugby Club will be on hand to give members of the public taster sessions.

There will also be a fun fair, a street of charity and commercial stalls as well as refreshments, including a licensed bar.

Last year, more than 3,500 attended the event with more than £1,500 being raised for charity.

For an eight page picture special see this week's Newbury Weekly News.

The main charities to benefit this year will be the Spring Charity and Thatcham Mayor Lee Dillon's charities of the year, which are Time to Talk 14:21, the Newbury and Thatcham Branch of Parkinson's UK and Relief in Need.

Jane Wells of Spring Charity said: “The main race will finish in the arena this year and the mini race and wheelchair race will also take place in the arena.

“The fun fair returns this year as well as the vintage car display but new this year will be the vintage car parade. This is normally a static exhibition but I think the parade, which starts at 2.30pm, will be super.

“The whole emphasis of the day will be on having fun. It would be wonderful if we could raise even more than last year.”

If you have a vintage car or motorcycle you would like to show, want to enter a team in the tug of war competition or if you would like to enter a mascot in the mascot race contact Jennie Currie at Thatcham Town Council on 01635 863 592 or visit our website www.thatchamtowncouncil.gov.uk for further information.