AN unusual auction rounded off the first Richmond Festival, raising almost £600 for an emergency fund to help farmers hit by the foot-and-mouth crisis.

Shops across the town have had sheep images on show in their windows over the past fortnight, some dressed and decorated by local clubs and societies, schools and nurseries.

Shoppers were then challenged to track them all down in return for a prize presented as the festival closed on Sunday evening.

But the sheep themselves were also offered for auction, with The Ridgeway Nursery entry attracting the highest bid of £50, made by The King's Church, which will be giving the cleverly crafted Baa-b The Builder cardboard cut-out back to the children.

The competition was not the only success story. A folk evening at The Georgian Theatre Royal and live music at the cricket club also sold out over the weekend.

At least 200 people also packed the Friary Gardens for a joint church service on Sunday morning.

"It was encouraging to see a whole series of events for the community by the community," said the town mayor, Councillor Tom Burrows.

"About 95 per cent of the events on the programme were free of charge and there were over 20 local groups involved, all of which should help strengthen community spirit in Richmond," he said.