THERE is always plenty of fun at the fair for children.

These pictures from the Oxford Mail archives show how young people have enjoyed themselves at St Giles’ Fair in Oxford in years past.

Picture 1 shows six-year-old Sarah Armstrong with a giant balloon in 1976, while in Picture 2, a youngster makes a safe landing at the foot of the helter skelter in 1974, in the safe arms of his father.

In Picture 3, 22-month-old Hugh Whitaker, of Kidlington, gets a good view of the fair from his father’s shoulders.

Three children are seen in Picture 4 waiting for their roundabout ride to start in 1973, left to right, Keeley Mimer, three, of Littlemore, Anthony Kimber, five, of Cowley, and Cheryl Read, six, of Kenilworth Avenue, Oxford.

One of the prize-winners at the fair in 1977 was Sharon Cunningham, three, in Picture 5, who couldn’t wait to try out her trumpet.

Meanwhile, a rise in prices that year meant fairgoers had to count the pennies – Tom Hollander, 10, in Picture 6, does just that before deciding whether he can afford a ride.

Among the early visitors to the fair in 1978 was Philip Howe, four, from Kidlington, who, as you can see in Picture 7, quickly made friends with a spider.