KITES of all shapes and sizes were flown over the skies of Ashdon on Sunday for the village s ninth kite festival. Ashdon Kite Festival attracts families and kite enthusiasts from all over the region, keen to meet likeminded individuals, show off their ki

KITES of all shapes and sizes were flown over the skies of Ashdon on Sunday for the village's ninth kite festival.

Ashdon Kite Festival attracts families and kite enthusiasts from all over the region, keen to meet likeminded individuals, show off their kiting skills or simply have a fun day out.

Helen Eyles, who helped with the festival and whose husband Andrew organises it, said that the day had been immensely popular.

"It was a lovely, lovely day," she said. "We had hundreds of people enjoying the gorgeous weather and raised around £3000 for the ongoing restoration of Ashdon's ancient parish church.

"We had a big arena set up with a field alongside it, where people could come and fly their kites.

"Members of kite groups from across Essex wandered around offering advice to amateurs and all sorts of differently sized and shaped kites were on display."

A display from The Red Barrows - a wheelbarrow stunt team - helped keep the crowds entertained, while a children's entertainer and a bouncy castle provided fun for the younger visitors.