Star appeal helped bring a bumper crowd to a village fete when Stephen Fry attended the fun day near his Norfolk home.

Organisers of the annual village fair at Narborough, near Swaffham, had asked Mr Fry to attend the event every other year since it was established five years ago.

Work commitments have prevented the writer, actor, comedian and presenter from doing so in the past but he attended for the first time yesterday.

Mr Fry, who has a home near Narborough, presented prizes for classic cars and motorcycles and static engines.

It is estimated that around 2,500 attended the fete, which raises money for Narborough Community Centre and Norfolk Lowland Search and Rescue.

David Williams, chairman of Narborough Community Centre, and organiser of the fair, said: 'I would say we're about 500 to 600 people up on previous years and, no doubt, Stephen Fry being here has a lot to do with that.

'He is a very busy man so we really appreciate him taking the time to be here, and also the way he has shown such an interest in everything and supported our causes.'