THOUSANDS of families are currently flocking to Laverstoke for the start of CarFest 2014.

This year’s sell-out event is now underway as thousands of people flock to Laverstoke Park Farm to enjoy a fun-filled weekend of entertainment to raise thousands of pounds for Children in Need.

The day kicked off when Carol Kirkwood presented the weather live from the farm, which is owned by former Formula One racing driver Jody Scheckter, live on BBC.

Key activities taking part this afternoon include air displays by The Red Devils, food demonstrations, children’s book workshops and a performance by Basingstoke ventriloquist Steve Hewlett.

Pamber Heath father Paul Townsend is just one local person getting involved in festivities when he appears on BBC’s The One Show, which is being filmed live from the three-day event.

The 36 year-old, who lives in Clapps Gate Road, Pamber Heath, is the owner of Shine on Detailing – a business which offers services including paintwork detail on sports cars and will be appearing on the show to talk about business.

Paul told The Gazette: “I work on prestigious and rare sports cars and I polish them to give them the perfect shine and get rid of scratches by using special waxes. It is about achieving perfection in vehicle appearance.”

When asked how it felt to be on The One Show, Paul added: “It is very exciting. The team are really nice and it is nice being that people will get to see what I do.”

To round off the first day of the three-day spectacle, Chas and Dave, Eliz Doolittle and Erasure will provide evening entertainment for the thousands of visitors who have come for the day or will camp out at the farm across the whole weekend.