OTTERTON youngsters will on Saturday July 18 be pulling out all the stops and donning fancy dress to raise much-needed funds for the village church.

OTTERTON youngsters will on Saturday July 18 be pulling out all the stops and donning fancy dress to raise much-needed funds for the village church.

A fancy dress competition is being held for the first time at Otterton Church's Saturday annual fete.

The competition is free to enter and open to all.

St Michael's Church treasurer Jan Keliher said: "The competition is open to all children who arrive in time for the parade, so there is no need for entry forms.

"It's a case of simply turning up and joining in the fun. We haven't set a theme for the fancy dress, so the children can use their imagination."

The fete starts at 2pm on the village green with the fancy dress competition starting at 3pm.

There will be prizes for the best under-five and under-10 costume.

Proceeds from the fete will go towards the upkeep of St Michael's Church, which needs to raise around �30,000 to renovate its 19th century reredos - the ornamental panel behind the altar.