ALTON Community Centre has got a lot of bottle!

That was certainly the case on March 13 when containers of all shapes and sizes went on show at the popular town facility for the bi-annual Antique Bottles Fair.

Fifty-eight stalls lined the centre for the fair run by Alton Bottle Club, with members’ collections taking pride of place and attracting a healthy turnout of fascinated folk.

Exhibits included a dark brown “onion bottle” which dated back to the 1700s and a couple of distinctive 1920s and 1930s lemonade botles with the obligatory marble stoppers.

Such bottles, which children used to return for a penny, now fetch three figures, according to fair organiser Mick Wells, “especially the ones with the marble inside”.

Mr Wells, whose own bottle collection lines the walls of his office, said he was pleased the fair was so well received.

“We had visitors from all over, including one from Plymouth and one from Yorkshire, and a lot of collectors,” he said.

“One of the highlights was the fine range of Victorian and Edwardian stoneware bottles, and at very reasonable prices,” he added.

Refreshments were provided by the Community Centre café and the money raised will go toward club funds.

The next Antiques Bottle Fair will be in November.

The Alton Bottle Club meets on the second Wednesday of every month at the community centre and new members are welcome.

For more details, visit altonbc.co.uk.