MORE than a thousand people turned out to see Britain’s biggest water slide come to Ilminster.

The event, which was held on Saturday, also saw the club unveil its brand new Archie Gooch pavilion.

The fundraiser was hosted by Ilminster Town Football Club (ITFC), which is planning to make the family fun day an annual event in the town.

Paul Webber, ITFC sponsorship co-ordinator, said: “More than 1,000 people came down throughout the day. Two-hundred 200 children enjoyed the use of the three inflatables and sumo wrestling, and 500 people went down the slide – with a lot of people having two goes.

“A big thank you to the Ilminster youth for cooking 500 burgers and 300 sausages. It was an amazing day that we all enjoyed, with the adults behaving like kids when they were on the slide.

“It was brilliant to see different outfits going down the slide, and there are loads of great photos.”

Work on the £573,000 project began back in October and was funded by grants from the Premier League and Football Association Facilities fund, Sport England, the Football Stadia Improvement fund and Section 106 money from South Somerset District Council.

Ilminster Town FC is hoping the family fun day will become an annual event, with a different star attraction each year.

The event was also had inflatables and soft play sumo wrestling, and was the first opportunity for the public to see their engraved bricks on the buy-a-brick wall, which raised £20,000.

All profits from the wall and the fun day are going towards the pavilion and ITFC.

Mr Webber added: “A massive thank you for everyone’s support. I would also like to thank Laurie and Leah of Spar Ilminster for sponsoring the event.”

The 300ft long slide was in place in Britten’s Field on Herne Hill. Members of the public were be able to slide down on a lilo with 16,000 litres of water being circulated.

The slide had only previously been to cities, including Bristol and Ipswich.

The buy-a-brick wall comprises of 214 bricks, with 60 business bricks and 154 bricks bought by the local community.

Single bricks were sold for £25, family bricks cost £50 and business bricks started at £150.

Each brick is engraved with personal inscriptions or a and the business bricks are engraved with the company logo.

Mr Webber added: “ITFC family day will be an annual event with the main attraction changing every year.

“It is a day where ITFC can give something back to the community for their endless and continued support.”