THE third annual Oxfringe Festival came to an end in a flurry of breakdancing.

The festival featured 140 events spread across 20 different venues in the city.

More than 5,000 people attended festival events, which included music, literature, comedy and theatre performances.

Oxfringe ended with a dance celebration at Oxford Castle on Monday.

Breakdance teacher Marcus Maurice, from Greater Leys, Oxford, took part in the final dance event.

The 21-year-old said: “We did a freestyle section and a couple of routine sets then we took a workshop afterwards for people who had never breakdanced before.

“It was very popular. It was beautiful and sunny so it was a nice event for us to come and breakdance at.”

The festival began on April 1 with an outdoor performance of live opera in Cornmarket Street.

Oxfringe co-director Sarah Jones said: “It has definitely exceeded our expectations.

“It has been absolutely fantastic. We have had wonderful support from performers, volunteers and venue managers.”

The final event saw 15 different local groups performing in styles ranging from breakdancing to jive.

Other events on the last day of the festival included a shadow puppet theatre and a character-acting workshop at the Fusion Arts Centre, in Princes Street, East Oxford.

The End of the Fringe Party took place at the Brewery Gate pub, in St Thomas Street, to celebrate the event’s success.

Ms Jones added the average audience size was about 20 people.

Oxford’s first fringe festival took place in 2007 but only featured literary events.

Last year the festival — which is timed to run alongside the Oxford Literary Festival — featured a wider range of artforms, with 40 shows in 20 different venues.

Ms Jones said: “Every year it has literally increased three times.

“It has really given people a chance to shout out loud and say Oxford has a lot of local talent.”