“SAFETY is paramount” for fair organisers this summer, as Cole’s family fun fair is set to return to Shaftesbury.

Approved by Shaftesbury Town Council’s general management committee, fair lovers, families and adrenaline junkies will be able to visit the event on Barton Hill across the next bank holiday weekend - from August 27 until 31.

With more businesses and attractions reopening as lockdown measures relax further, the team behind the fair has assured the public that “everything has been done to make sure safety [onsite] is paramount” and “[visitors] will see for themselves what is in place”.

Tim Thorn, of Cole’s family fun fair, said the event has been rebranded as a “family fun park”, adding: “When you come here everything is clean and safe.”

Several measures will be in force at the fair, in order to maintain the health and safety of the public and social distancing guidance on the back of the Covid-19 pandemic.

On arrival at Barton Hill visitors will have their temperature checked, provide details for the NHS test and trace service and must follow the entrance and exit system.

Machines will be cleaned after every ride, as will the tokens that act as currency to access each attraction.

Hand sanitiser dispensers will be stationed throughout the site and cash will only be accepted at the refreshment stalls.

The area will be enclosed by a fence, meaning all visitors entering and leaving the site can be recorded.

The number of people that will be allowed in the Shaftesbury fair at one time is yet to be determined.

The fair is currently in Sandford until August 23, with rides including the dodgems, waltzers, fun house, ghost train, bungee trampolines, swing boats and more.

Tim said the feedback to the Covid-secure version of the fair so far has been “fantastic”, adding: “We’re looking forward to bringing the fair to Shaftesbury, people have been very complimentary about what Charles has done.”

Councillor Andy Hollingshead, who supported the fair coming to the town, said: “Cole’s Fun Fair has been coming to Shaftesbury for many years. It is a responsible operator and, as the Government has made a policy decision to allow fun fairs to open, we approved its request.

“We will be seeing the plans and providing they are in order then the fun fair will be able to operate as it currently is in other towns around the south west. We will continue to follow government advice and will keep the situation under constant review to ensure the safety of our community.”

“I can’t see anything else that could be done to make this area any more safe, but visitors are more than welcome to come to us with ideas,” Tim added.

“It has been a hard year for everyone, but with everything going on people now need some time to enjoy themselves and allow life to be fun again.

“There has been absolutely nothing on this year, and there are such limitations to what people can do.

“What we are doing is offering some way for people to go out and have fun in a safe environment.”

The fair will be open every day from 2pm until 9pm. For more visit the Charles Cole’s Family Fun Fairs Facebook page.