Dozens of helium balloons were launched to celebrate the first birthday of a bumps and babies group run by Bicester-based charity Home-Start.

Fifty-five balloons, one for each baby involved in the group over the past year, were released on Friday at Five Acres School in Ambrosden.

The group's birthday celebrations also included lighting 49 candles -- one for each of the mums.

Parents and volunteers shared birthday cake and sparkling wine, and bouquets were presented to Five Acres headteacher Michelle Mairs, as well as two of the volunteers.

Home-Start's senior co-ordinator Naomi Hillman said: "Everybody felt a bit emotional."

Each balloon was labelled with a baby's name and the Home-Start address on it, and the owner of the balloon that gets the furthest will win a £20 voucher.

The bumps and babies group meets at Five Acres School in Ambrosden every Friday. Membership is free.