BASINGSTOKE was thrilled with enthusiasm and joy as a vintage funfair out of blockbuster films such as Paddington 2 and Rocketman returned to the town yesterday (Saturday).

Carters Steam fair arrived in War Memorial Park much to the delight of many residents.

Members of Basingstoke Gazette Camera Club were also quick to grab the opportunity to click some amazing pictures from the funfair which they shared in the Facebook group.

This included some stunning clicks from a fireworks display.

Dating from the 1890s to the 1960s, the vintage fairground rides have featured in films such as Paddington 2 and Rocketman and TV shows such as Call the Midwife.

The fair was grounded for the last year because of the coronavirus pandemic and associated restrictions.

Fairground owner Joby Carter has put a lot of thought into ensuring the fairground experience is Covid-secure.

He is giving free rides to those who book online and choose the day they want to visit as this enables Carters to monitor visitor numbers.

Around the fair there are hand sanitising stations, and the rides are cleaned and sanitised at regular intervals.

The rides are also laid out further apart to enable more space for visitors to social distance from others as they move around the fair.

You can see the photos captured by our camera club members Anthony Hutchinson, Mandi Smith and Andrew Prestwood in the picture gallery above.