AFRICAN drumming and chocolate tube slime mould were just two of the highlights of the annual Deadwater Valley Trust Woodland Fair.

The drummers created a crescendo building up to the official opening by Whitehill deputy town mayor Cllr Leeroy Scott.

Theo Banks found the mould on a guided tour of the Deadwater Valley Nature Reserve by Whitehill councillor Adam Carew.

Cllr Carew said: “We had about 20 people on my guided walk and we found a new species for the nature reserve thanks to the sharp eyes of one little boy, Theo Banks.

“It was not a fungus as we first thought, but chocolate tube slime mould (Stemonitis splendens) which looks not unlike a hairy Cadbury Flake and grows in clusters on decaying wood.”

Julie Reid, the trust’s community wildlife ranger, said: “The event went very well and we were lucky to have fantastic weather.

“We were supported by our wonderful volunteers and many local groups.”

Visitors also enjoyed face painting, arts and crafts, pond dipping, mini golf, medieval longbow archers, re-creation of ancient woodland life, pencil-making using twigs, a barbecue, home-made cakes and lots of stalls.