FIREBREATHERS, live music and street traders all turned out for Chard's Eco street party, held to raise awareness of Earth Hour.

The event saw more than 1,000 members of the public turn out to see the stalls and entertainment on offer.

March 19 also featured competitions and debates with a green theme.

Tim Eggins, organiser of the event, said: "I was really great. The feedback has been fantastic.

"It is something so new and different to Chard. They have the summer fete and the carnival and the same stuff year on year so this was very different.

"People were saying 'oh my word, all of this stuff on a couple of streets'. There were quite a lot of people moving in and out a lot but I think there were about 1,500 people.

It has taken me eight months to organise everything. We made sure everything was right. The sound was the right level and we had no complaints, and we did a litter pick the day after so the place is absolutely spotless and we recycled all the materials.

"This could be a new green start for Chard. People are much more switched on to the environmental side of it."

Entries into Chard's eco-photographic competition were on display in the Guildhall, with a second competition being held for the best image taken during the evening at Earth Hour Chard. Closing date of this competition is March 31.

A panel of experts including MEP South West Molly Scott Cato, Glastonbury councillor Jon Cousins, eco-activist Paul Lund and Cara Ann Naden from Transition Langport took part in a climate debate.

For the street party, more than 70 stands with international food, educational items and arts and crafts were set up.

Chard and District Museum also arranged an Open Day for the Court Room, the Grade 1 listed building in Fore Street.