ORGANISERS are putting the finishing touches to plans for a fun day on an Oxford estate. Now all they need is the sunshine.

Bouncy castles, face painting, and even baby massage have all been organised for this summer’s Barton Bash at the Barton Neighbourhood Centre, on Saturday, June 13.

The celebration was launched four years ago to replace the estate’s annual carnival, and last year about 1,000 people flocked to the family event.

Organiser Sue Holden, secretary of Barton Community Association, said she hoped the bash would be a welcome relief from the credit crunch for residents.

She added: “The only unconfirmed guest is the sunshine at the moment, but we’re hoping and praying.

“Just because there is a credit crunch doesn’t mean everything has to be all doom and gloom.

“Everyone is just going to come along and have a great day.

“And if you don’t want to spend any money, you honestly don’t have to, because there is so much going on for free. ”

This year’s Bash will include old favourites such as the Strawberry Fayre Majorettes and Messy Jam, and free inflatables.

There will also be sets from local music acts, including vocalist Tom Lygo, from Harolde Close.

Mr Lygo, who is also known as MC Dash, combines urban music with lyrics about relationships, religion and growing up on the Barton estate.

Mrs Holden said: “As a little something different, this year we have also asked a local artist, Wayne Clack, to come down and draw caricatures of people all for free.

“We have also organised for people to come along and take part in our Zumba classes, which is a kind of exercise class to Latin American music.

“Headington Festival is this weekend too, and there is no reason people can’t come along to both. If the weather doesn’t hold out, we can move practically everything inside and carry on.”

The Bash starts at midday and goes on until 5pm.