Paul Simon was singing all about it as thousands of revellers were Slip Slidin Away during a wet Cornbury festival at the weekend.

Simon was the highlight for many with his Saturday night headline slot - but he didn't have to contend with the rain that dogged the weekend.

But the heavy showers failed to dampen the enthusiasm of more than 14,000 music-lovers who descended on Cornbury Park, near Charlbury, for the fifth annual two-day gathering.

They were treated to sets by artists as diverse as 80s pop act The Bangles, soul singer Beverley Knight, veteran reggae band Toots & the Maytals, comic-rock act Half Man Half Biscuit, and punk-rockers Carbon Silicon, featuring Mick Jones of legendary punk band The Clash.

Singer-songwriter Simon played an extended set featuring many of his best-loved tunes - including Mrs Robinson, Slip Slidin' Away and Graceland - as the crowd sang along enthusiastically.

The cheers and singing stopped, and the crowd fell silent, however, for a moving rendition of 60s hit Sound of Silence - a highpoint for many of the entire festival.

Folk fans were also kept happy, with a wealth of talent on the festival's second stage yesterday, courtesy of the Oxford Folk Festival - including rising star Tift Merritt, from North Carolina, who, along with yesterday's headliners Crowded House, had delighted crowds at Glastonbury Festival the week before.

Local music came from Binsey-based country-rock band, The Epstein, themselves also Glastonbury veterans, who had fans dancing at the Riverside Stage, and Oxford cult rock band Smilex.

Campers were treated to more live music and DJ sets into the early hours in packed campsite dance and beer tents.

But while the rain undoubtedly put some people off, most revellers hailed the festival a success.

Thousands braved the wet weather to enjoy the festival's combination of live music, fairground rides, stalls and food from around the world.

Enjoying his first Cornbury was Kaos Schmitz, originally from Mexico, a maths teacher at Oxford University.

He said: "Cornbury is so cool. It's just so chilled.

"The best bit was dancing to The Epstein. They are an amazing band with crazy songs that you've just got to dance to!"

Katie Miller, a student from Horwood Close, Headington, Oxford, said: "I've had a great time - apart from the weather.

"It's been really relaxed. You can just walk around in a dream, and there is nothing manic about it. You are free to enjoy yourself in a mellow way, which is really nice.

It's so warm and cosy."

David James John, from Jericho, Oxford, was making his second pilgrimage to Cornbury.

He said: "This is a great festival - one of the best - and it keeps getting better.

"We've had an amazing time.

"Paul Simon was great, but the best bit was the music in the campsite.

"There's a good mix of people, but everyone is pretty chilled.

"There is no attitude, which is nice."