HUNDREDS of people turned up for Hawkwood College's annual Mind, Body, Spirit and Healing festival at the weekend.

Around 450 people attended the event, which featured around 50 complementary therapists, craftsmen and artists.

Visitors had the chance to learn about the college and test treatments on offer on Saturday and Sunday.

Among the therapists were husband and wife team Keith and Maureen Oddy, who carry out aura readings.

Maureen said: "An aura reading is like having a life reading - it builds up a picture of a your spiritual, emotional, physical and mental well-being, which can give you an indication on how to improve your life."

Keith added: "On one level it can be just a bit of fun and on another level it can be more profound."

Other therapies on offer included crystal healing, palm readings, Indian head massage, colour healing and Reiki.

Britain's only Japanese Shigon Buddhist priest - Tenjo Senei - aka Bill Wright, was also at the show with his mobile temple practising his Kaji healing technique, which is similar to Reiki.

Among the traders was Thrupp-based Fairtrade company the Golden Fleece, which sells crafts imported from Morocco.

* A memorial service will be held at Hawkwood College at 3pm tomorrow, Thursday, in memory of Lawrence Hart - the artist and meditation lecturer who was killed at the college last month. Coroners were unable to release his body in time for a planned funeral, so a service paying tribute to the father-of-two will be held instead. Lawrence's friends and family are inviting everyone who knew him to attend and bring refreshments to share. Donations to the college's new meditation space should be made in lieu of flowers. Contact James Showers at Family Tree Funeral Directors on 01453 767769 for further details.