Hundreds of people basked in the summer sunshine as they watched the fun and games at Banbury's Hobby Horse Festival and Town Mayor's Sunday.

Decorated horses and other animals were the visible stars of the show, but it was a behind-the-scenes team that came in for high praise.

Tim Sexton of the Chipping Campden morris side.

Park-keeper Les Upham and his helpers were singled out by Cllr Richard Collins.

He said: "Les and his men have done a wonderful job getting the park into the condition it is. Les was still here early on Sunday morning putting the finishing touches. He and his dedicated staff have got the town at heart."

The festival began with a procession from the town hall to the park led by the St John Ambulance Band. Councillors marched ahead of the hobby horses who were accompanied by the Fine Lady on a White Horse - from the famous nursery rhyme.

The afternoon's entertainment included a parade of hobby horses, a children's fancy dress competition, and hobby horse races for juniors and adults.

Charity stalls and a funfair added to the jollity, and a fire engine manned by local firefighters was a popular attraction.

Stewart Green and the Radio Horton Roadshow rounded off the afternoon.