There was an unexpected guest accompanying MP Derek Thomas when he officially opened a Harvest Fair at St Martin School on Friday - an Indian runner duck.

Together with apples, a stick of rhubarb and a daffodil bulb, Mr Thomas used the presence of the duck to illustrate how life continues naturally and often flourishes without human intervention.

He then spoke of how special the community of St Martin had become to him and he praised the Friends of St Martin School, made up of parents, the parish council, and local residents, for all their efforts to maintain and improve the school.

The Harvest Fair raised a sum just shy of £1,000 - the final figure is yet to be verified - which the Friends group intends to spend on items to benefit the schoolchildren at St Martin.

More than 100 people of all ages attended the fair, which was organised by Friends under the leadership of Sheila Chandler.

A spokesperson said: "It was heartening to see so many young children present and a reminder that village schools are a very necessary and vital part of rural life. St Martin School has very strong support from the community, and the Harvest Fair provided the perfect opportunity for everyone to come together, have fun, and see the improvements to the school grounds."

There were plenty of stalls and attractions, with Splat the Rat, and the greasy pole proving especially popular. Sharon Bennetts successfully guessed the weight of the cake, which was 3lbs 12oz, Phoebe Armstrong was the winner of guess the number of balloons in the tractor (97 were crammed into the cab) while local vet Johnny Alston became the proud owner of ‘Gwynngala’ when he correctly chose the name, which is the Cornish for September, at the guess the name of the Cornish teddy stall.

The evening ended with St Martin’s version of ‘It’s a Knockout’ that took place on the school field. Three teams participated: Helston and St Keverne Young Farmers Club, 'The Farm Team' and 'The Young Ones'. Suzanne Bray organised the games, which included a crate race, Billy Bunter race, and an egg, flour and water race. Much fun and hilarity ensued, with the young farmers emerging as victors.

The Friends group thanked Mr Thomas and everyone else who attended, as well as all those who contributed to the success of the Harvest Fair.

They particularly thanked Cornwall Segway, the Eden Project, Gear Farm, Hog House, Jump4, Mawgan Stores, Old Withy Garden Nursery, Perfect Pampering, Porthcurno Telegraph Museum, Sainsbury’s (Helston), Taw River Dairy and Zucchini Italian Kitchen for their donations.

The group said it received positive feedback following the fair, along with "numerous requests" for a similar event to be held next year.