LANDMARKS in history came into being at Dunster Country Fair on Wednesday with the presentation of a brand new cup and a special choice of president.

Conservative Prospective Parliamentary Candidate Ian Liddell-Grainger gave the fair a trophy for the supreme champion hound.

It was won by Minehead Harriers, which is within Bridgwater constituency, after competition among packs from miles around.

Another 'first' was the dual role of president of the country fair and of Dunster Show by the same individual, Julian Luttrell.

Both committees came up with the idea of marking the millennium by inviting one of their leading lights to be president in 2000.

Mr Luttrell was deputy president of Dunster Show last year and has been chairman of the country fair committee for 23 years.

Country fair committee member Mike Padgett said: "It was felt that, in this auspicious year 2000, it would be nice for him and his wife to be presidents of the country fair.

"The Dunster Show committee was thinking along the same lines."

Mr Padgett said this year's fair was a mixed success: "Vice presidents' subscriptions were greatly increased, as were the trade stands, but the visitor numbers were down.

"I think this is something that has affected West Somerset in general. I don't know why, but I do know that last year's summer weather was dreadful so perhaps everyone's decided to go abroad."

Pictured on one of the country fair rides are, from the left, Calista Trayler-Clarke, aged six, four-year-old Maddie and Laura Cooper, aged five, from Carhampton.

Photo: Steve Guscott.