A MINI-tornado hit a festival campsite yesterday – as thousands of music-lovers arrived in Cropredy, near Banbury, for three days of entertainment.

But organisers of the annual Fairport’s Cropredy Convention said Oxfordshire’s longest-running music festival was on track despite the unseasonal weather.

A spokesman said: “We had a few heavy bursts of rain, which didn’t really seem to dampen anyone’s spirits and we had a mini-tornado in one campsite – where a few tents were uprooted – but there was no serious damage. The morning went very smoothly as thousands of people arrived and were guided into the campsites.

“We hope the weather will now hold for the rest of the festival. But the great thing about Cropredy is our audience don’t seem to mind whether it’s raining or not.”

Up to 20,000 people are expected at the festival, which runs until tomorrow night.

Last night’s headline attractions were veteran rockers Status Quo.