A MARKET town banned traffic from its centre on Saturday to receive an 'invasion' of visitors - and onions!

Newent Onion Fayre gets bigger by the year and the latest extravaganza attracted thousands to the town.

Onions were, of course, the stars of the show. The exhibition in the Memorial Hall was the only one of its kind in the country and was affiliated to the National Vegetable Society.

Onions were being cooked here, there and everywhere and there was a competition to guess how many had been used to create a giant tart that was on show.

Several tonnes were for sale under the Market House, the traditional art of onion stringing was demonstrated and in one shop window there was even an onion football match!

And there was much more besides. Bands and groups provided music throughout the day and other attractions ranged from Morris dancing to funfair rides and a magnificent display of wedding dresses.

Firefighters and their engine proved to be a lure to children who also enjoyed a display of toy fire engines through the ages.