PERSHORE residents and visitors will be out in force in the town on Monday for a fruity festival of fun.

The annual Pershore Plum Fayre returns to the town on Bank Holiday Monday, offering everything from a television gardener-lookalike to teddy bears with parachutes strapped to their back.

Although the plum fayre will take its place at the top of the bill, residents will also be treated to another of the farmers' markets that Pershore prides itself on.

The fayre is officially opened at 10am by lookalikes of Charlie Dimmock and Tommy Walsh, of BBC television's Ground Force fame, and entertainment continues well into the evening.

One of the highlights of the fayre for the younger generation will be the inaugural Great Midlands Teddy Bear Parachute Jump.

Hundreds of bears will leap into the unknown when they are thrown from the roof of the abbey, with parachutes strapped to their backs, in order for their owners to see how well they fly.

Organiser Colin Reeves said: "The jump-off takes place at 1pm and anyone can bring a bear with a home-made parachute to take part, although a donation of £2 is requested.

"Visitors should not be alarmed if they see a six-foot bear wandering around the Abbey Grounds, as it is only a costume, generously donated by the Evesham Hotel."

There are a host of other attractions at the plum fayre, including a gardeners' question time, art exhibition, vintage car display, river boat trips, a plum exhibition in the abbey and much more.

Programmes with a town map in will be available from the tourist information centre in Pershore High Street.