Nearly 1,000 people went along to enjoy the displays on offer at the 32nd Flowers in a Country Church Festival.

The event took place on Saturday and Sunday at St Thomas’s Church in Harty and the Ferry House Inn also held a country fair in the field opposite.

As well as the church being full with flower displays, there were stalls in the grounds, including home-made jam and honey, jewellery, plants, paper craft, a tombola and wood turning.

There was also a display of Scottish dancing, live music and a selection of refreshments.

Father Barry Birch took a service in the church on Sunday afternoon.

At the Ferry House Inn’s country fair, there were even more stalls including a couple of bakeries, the RSPB, fruit wines and more.

Isle of Sheppey Academy pupil Simon Grounsell, 15, showed off his magic tricks to visitors and local businesses J and L’s Falconry and Sweet Nostalgia also had stalls.

Church warden Colin Patience said: “I would like to say thank you to all those people who support the church in the way they do.

“The festival has reached the stage where it’s impossible for one person to deal with the whole thing and it’s blossomed into an almost mini county show – without their help I don’t know how we would carry on.

“The church itself looked beautiful and there were more flowers than ever – the arrangers really excelled themselves.”

Marketing manager at the Ferry House Inn, Victoria McCabe, said: “The stallholders really enjoyed it and did really well.

“It was great to have a lot of local people with stalls and nice to make it more of an all-round family day out.

“Thanks to H and L Graphics who made our sign.”

It is hoped the festival will have raised more than £2,000 for the upkeep of the church.