THOUSANDS of people, including a former Big Brother contestant, turned out for the annual Shoebury Fair.

Saturday’s packed event, which was held at Shoeburyness High School, in Caulfield Road, offered about 50 charities and local organisations a chance to raise funds.

It earned them thousands of pounds through activities including a coconut shy, a crazy kitchen, where smashing crockery was the order of the day, the chance to go in the stocks and a sponsored It’s a Knockout competition.

Karen Stock, chairman of the organising committee, said: “It was a real success. I’d like to thank the army of volunteers who made it happen, as well as the school, for helping us host it and, of course, everyone who turned out.”

Southend man Mario Mugan, who appeared on TV’s Big Brother reality show last year, and Southend United FC forward Blair Sturrock both spent much of the day helping on various stalls and signing autographs.