A CELEBRATION of a particular type of shellfish attracted thousands of people to a north Hampshire pub.

More than 3,500 people attended the Oyster Festival at The Fox public house in North Waltham.

The event, now in its sixth year, was opened by North West Hampshire MP Sir George Young.

Highlights included a beer tent with 10 real ales, performances by the Basingstoke Area Youth Orchestra and a marching pipe band, and a champagne bar.

But the star attraction was, of course, the oyster, expertly shucked by Sue and Duncan Lucas, daughter and son-in-law of The Fox’s landlord Rob MacKenzie.

The couple sold more than 2,000 oysters, with the proceeds going to the Royal British Legion in Old Basing, and gave demonstrations in how to fillet fish and prepare other shellfish.

Mr MacKenzie said: “You can see from the amount of people who have turned up that it has been absolutely fantastic. We have had more people than last year and both fields for parking were full.”

One of the people to soak up the atmosphere was Dave Hugman, of St Michael’s Close, North Waltham, although he chose not to sample the oysters.

The 53-year-old said: “I tried some last year but maybe once is enough. I have been for the past three of four years. It’s a fantastic turnout this year, and the orchestra makes a pleasant change from the usual medieval jousting.”