RAIN - usually the great friend of gardeners - proved a temporary adversary at the annual Elder Stubbs Allotments Festival in Oxford.

But Saturday's weather failed to seriously dampen the enthusiasm of the organisers and those who put on a brave face against heavy downpours.

Past events attracted up to 3,000 but on Saturday just under 2,000 people visited the 16th festival organised by the mental health charity Restore.

For keen gardeners there were allotments galore to explore over more than two acres. Many of the plots at the Rymers Lane site in Cowley are tended by people who belong to Restore.

If the weather turned off the green-fingered brigade there was plenty of alternative entertainment to watch including music, belly dancers, majorettes, poetry, produce and flower sales.

Former lead singer of the '70s rock band Hawkwind, Huw Lloyd-Langton, was among the performers along with the Assassins of Silence Raggasaurus.

The most curious exhibition was a display by five dancers who were buried in soil and who emerged from an allotment plot to give a demonstration of Butoh, an experimental dance form that originated in Japan in the 1960s.

The Cafe Reason Butoh Dance Theatre was formed in Oxford ten years ago. The company says there is no story attached to the performance.

It is a journey into a world of "subconscious connections between image and imagination".

Whatever the explanation, it fascinated the audience as they sheltered under umbrellas watching the dancers emerge from the mud.

Restore chief executive Benedict Leigh said: "Allotment holders usually like some rain to help their produce grow but for once we could have done without it and we've had enough already this year. But that's the English climate for you.

"Fewer people came to the festival but it didn't depress our enthusiasm or that of the people who braved the weather.

"There was a great mix of entertainment to keep everyone entertained. Allotments are growing in popularity and are a great therapeutic aid to people with mental problems."

Pensioners George and Pearl Greenway from Stansfield Place, Headington, are regular visitors.

Mr Greenway, 78, said: "We used to have three plots years ago but these days grow only a few vegetables.

"We enjoy coming to the festival. Its a colourful event with lots going on to interest all ages. Pity about the weather but allotment holders are well used to rain and you just get on with it."

Other regular visitors are Ian Clarke, his wife Cathy, and children Ruby-Jean, nine, and six-month-old Molly from Town Furze, Headington.

Mr Clarke said: "The festival is a great day out. There's a lot going on and plenty of activities to keep the children interested. We grow our own vegetables and Ruby-Jean has been growing herbs."