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IT’S not often you would catch children happily heading off to school on a weekend.

But the Batt Primary School in Witney welcomed many of its pupils, and their parents, back through the school gates on Saturday.

The playing field was the venue for the second Battstock music festival, which was launched last year to raise money for the school.

More than 600 revellers filled the grounds in Marlborough Lane and enjoyed music from folk blues guitarist Russell Morgan, skiffle trio Thrill Collins and singer songwriter Phousa.

Last year the event raised £2,000 for the school and the same is estimated for this year.

The event is the brainchild of online music promoter Adrian Phillips, of TunA the Day, and Graeme Merifield, who runs the Wychwood Festival. Both have children at the school.

Mr Phillips said: ”It went brilliantly. All of us who organised it are still on a high, although we’re absolutely shattered.

“The Wychwood bars sold a shed-load of alcohol so I imagine there were a few heavy heads around Witney on Monday.

“We haven’t got all the money in yet but we’re hoping certainly to have matched last year’s event.”

Mother of two Jenny Walker took daughter Eve, five, and son Oliver, seven, along to the festival. Both are pupils at the school and Oliver performed with the choir.

Ms Walker said: “It was lovely. The children had a fantastic time.

“It felt quite special being in the school fields, surrounded by all the big trees, watching the bands as it got dark.

“It’s nice to be able to relax in an environment where the children feel safe having fun with their friends too.”

awilliams@oxfordmail.co.uk