Published: Thursday, 18th June, 2009 5:00am

Sausages and Nasty Nick lined up for fair

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Butchers Keith Hutchins and Peter Jennings at P&D Jennings in Hurst
Pic by: Chris Forsey

THESE butchers hope they weren"t being rash-er when they agreed to make 650 sausages for Hurst Horse Show and Country Fair.

They have also spent two weeks making 1,470 burgers but think the wurst is over and they are ready to 'meat' the demand for the show, which will be opened by actor John Altman - aka EastEnders" Nasty Nick.

Thousands of people are expected at the 30th annual fair on Saturday and Sunday, June 27 and 28, and butcher David Jennings, of P&D Jennings in Hurst, said: 'At this time of the year we spend three days a week solidly making burgers. Thank God we have a radio to keep us entertained.' The show raises money for local organisations including St Nicholas Primary School, which Altman attended.

Staff and pupils met him again when he played King Rat in Dick Whittington at Reading"s Hexagon theatre last Christmas and asked him to officially open the show at 11am on Saturday, June 27.

He agreed but hoped the food would be better than school dinners he remembered and said: 'We had to eat liver complete with tubes, veins and gristle.' The show will be 9am-5.30pm in fields off School Road and attractions will include The Reading Superstar All Star Cheerleading Club, Blue Flame Dance, Hurst Handbell Ringers, farm animals, ferret racing, falconry and hawking displays, woodturning, search and rescue dogs, a bouncy castle, children"s crazy golf, tug of war, a beer tent, ice cream and candy floss.

The show has raised more than £150,000 for good causes and chairman Duncan Kendall added: 'For many families the show is the highlight of the year.

'At the end we"re all exhausted but it"s worth it in so many ways.'

To enter the show jumping, go-karting or scarecrow competition visit www.hursthorseshow.org.uk