A FAMILY fun event raised nearly £2,000 while delighting a community with an action-packed day of activities.

Live music, a bouncy castle and more than 25 stalls were just some of the options on show for all in attendance at Parkeston Welfare Park.

Hoping to spread community cheer, visitors enjoyed hot food, candy floss, popcorn and ice cream and fun all the way.

Clacton-based band The Vicounts performed live music from across the decades as the sunshine lit up the occasion.

In total, £1,900 was raised to help fund the activities and maintenance of the park, at the back of Garland Road.

A big attraction was the barrow of cheer raffle - a wheelbarrow brimming with all kinds of alcohol which lucky winner Scott Heneker was able to wheel back home.

For Parkeston councillor Bill Davidson it was a “brilliant” occasion.

“On behalf of the Welfare Park and the Residents’ Association, I’d like to give a sincere thank you to our wonderful committee, volunteers and stallholders.

“I’d also like to thank Ray Rays for the hot food, Jay’s Bounces and The Vicounts - who performed free of charge.

“I must thank the sunshine too - we made a wish and you sure did grant it.

“We asked all who came along to simply bring a smile and their community cheer and they certainly delivered with their support, donations and community spirit.

“It was absolutely brilliant and I’m so pleased with how well it went.

“It was great to see so many people, young and old, enjoying themselves on what was a great day.”

The Parkeston Welfare Park Committee has been running the event for the past six and a half years in a bid to keep the green space running in top condition.

The site was purchased in 1923 by three men remortgaging their private homes to provide a safe play area.

Since 2011 it has had a new multi-use games area, children’s play area, outdoor gym, football pitch and nature park.