One of Britain’s longest running arts and crafts festivals will return to Oxfordshire for its 32nd year.

The annual Art in Action event will once again be held in the grounds of Waterperry House, near Wheatley, this summer.

The four-day festival will see artists set up their studios in a variety of marquees to allow visitors to watch them at work and buy their items.

This year will feature a new Mexican arts marquee, including painting, paper cutting, sculpture, jewellery and textiles, and hundreds of practical classes for children and adults, including modern painting techniques, marquetry and parquetry, felt bead making and glass engraving.

Elsewhere, there will be a display of hand-printed wallpaper from Cole & Son, whose clients include Buckingham Palace and the White House.

Sculptor Claire Norrington, the youngest artist ever to be elected to the Royal Society of British Sculptors, will also bring her bronze animal structures.

Event spokesman Anna Arthur said: “The first Art in Action event took place with around 50 artists in 1977. Over the last 32 years it has grown significantly and is now an annual pilgrimage for anyone interested in the visual arts.

“Visitors can learn or buy from the 150 artists and craftsmen who recreate their studios in one of the many Art in Action marquees and demonstrate their expertise in painting, sculpture, drawing and printmaking, ceramics, calligraphy and illustration, glass, metalwork and jewellery, nature in art, textiles, woodwork and Mexican arts.

“Art in Action is a great day out for families and art lovers alike.”

The festival runs from July 16-19. For details visit artinaction.org.uk tairs@oxfordmail.co.uk