A VILLAGE fair wiped out last year because of the foot-and-mouth crisis has been switched from its normal date to create a double celebration marking the Queen's Golden Jubilee.

The village of Aldfield, near Ripon, which has a population of just over 50, is rolling out the red carpet on Sunday, June 2, for its annual fair, normally held in August.

"It's going to be a double celebration as we wanted to mark the jubilee in a special way," said churchwarden Anne Carrick.

Normally, the fair raises about £1,200 for church funds, but despite a number of small events throughout last year, fundraising fell short of the normal total.

The fair gets under way at 1.30pm with displays of Irish dancing by pupils of Kirkby Malzeard Church of England Primary School, who will also perform at 2pm and 2.30pm.

A fairground organ, bouncy castle, stalls and games will mean the closure of the main road through the village until 4pm. Afternoon teas are on the menu and parking places have been arranged.

A feature of the event will be a Jubilee Exhibition in the church, highlighting memorabilia from throughout the Queen's reign.

A service will be held at St Laurence Church, Aldfield, at 6.30pm.