DESPITE downpours throughout the afternoon, the Magdalen Community Fayre in Gorleston attracted more than 300 people to the festivities.The event started at noon with the Eastern Spirits Band and a number of local bands and acts kept the crowd entertained for the six hour event on Satrurday, including Samba Magdalena, guitarist Paul Johnson from the Llewellyn Band, rock band Rivers and ska band Monkey Spanner topping the bill.

DESPITE downpours throughout the afternoon, the Magdalen Community Fayre in Gorleston attracted more than 300 people to the festivities.

The event started at noon with the Eastern Spirits Band and a number of local bands and acts kept the crowd entertained for the six hour event on Satrurday, including Samba Magdalena, guitarist Paul Johnson from the Llewellyn Band, rock band Rivers and ska band Monkey Spanner topping the bill.

Among the displays were Isis Egyptian dancing and tai-chi and various entertainments for the children.

Chairman of organisers, Magdalen Community Association (MCA), Patricia Page, said the weather had not deterred people from going along, however there were not as many stalls as had been hoped.

The committee was attempting to raise funds for the MCA and the final figure won't be known until co-organiser Mac McCarthy returns from a short break.

Towards the end of what had been a peaceful and happy event though, violence flared nearby - with the organisers saying the trouble had nothing to do with the fayre.

Two police community support officers were assaulted as they tried to separate two heated groups near the Cap and Gown pub and police reinforcements were quickly sent to Magdalen Square.

Police Insp Teresa Eagleton said there had been no trouble reported until 5pm.

She added: “Some people had been drinking all afternoon in a local pub and then there was apparently a dispute between a group of local adults and a group of local youths. A police sergeant and the two PCSOs tried to get in between them and that was when the assaults happened.”

Insp Eagleton said police did not face any further trouble and the local pub and off-licence both closed at 9pm.

Cllr Page said: “As we had no beer tent, many people congregated outside the pub. We have since spoken to the police about this and perhaps it's a case that they need more training with this sort of situation as PCSOs can't arrest anybody.”

Local man Michael Latchford, 46, was arrested and later charged with two assaults on the PCSOs.

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