Thousands at Old Hill Festival

Thousands of people flocked to the Old Hill Festival to enjoy a parade, a fun fair and an evening of music.

The annual event on Spring Meadow was this year raising funds for a young soldier from Rowley Regis who was injured in action.

Luke Hemming, aged 20, almost died in Helmand Province in November 2011 after stepping on an improvised explosive device. The 2 Mercian soldier lost lost both his legs and has been undergoing a gruelling rehabilitation process ever since.

The festival on Saturday saw a military parade take to the streets which included the The King's Own Royal Regiment, army and navy cadets and local school children. This was followed by an afternoon of fun which included a host of stalls, games for all the family, refreshments and a fun fair.

The event ended with a musical performances from a variety of singers and bands which started on the meadow, and then at 10pm moved into the Spring meadow Social Club.

The Festival was organised by four residents and keen fundraisers, David and Lisa Saunders, David Quinton and Paul Evans.

Mr Saunders said: "It was a fantastic event, absolutely wonderful. This is our fourth festival, and I am always overwhelmed by the support we see form the local community. It was dry, which was a relief, and so many people came out to enjoy it well into the evening."