IT never rains when it pours but even a torrential downpour didn’t stop a Chipping Sodbury primary school from raising thousands of pounds at its summer fair on Saturday.

The family fun event at St John’s Mead Primary School was bathed in sunshine for part of the day before having to be cut short by half an hour due to the rain, but a grand prize raffle, stalls, games and refreshments helped to raise £3,200.

An arena on the school field featured a dog show, talent competition and egg throwing contest and also staged a display by Yate Star Twirlers. There was a barbecue and beer tent, coconut shy, wellie wanging competition and craft tent.

Michaela Sillick, chairman of the PTA which organised the fair, said the school community had shown great spirit in coming together to raise money for a new classroom.

"The money from this year’s fair will fund half the cost of a new outside classroom, which is being installed later in July," she said. "It’s a lovely visual reminder of how PTA funding can benefit the whole school.

"The rain didn’t dampen’ our spirits and we were incredibly lucky to have got away with the sunshine for as long as we did."