THE beauty of music was celebrated across the county as independent stores put on live shows for Record Store Day.

The national event saw artists release special CDs and vinyls which were only available in independent stores.

The Rapture store in Witney put on entertainment and its sister shop, the Truck Store in Oxford's Cowley Road, also had live performances from artists including Robin Bennett from Oxford band Dreaming Spires and Tony Poole of Starry Eyed and Laughing.

Truck Store worker Euan Booth said: “It was fantastic. A really great turnout from customers and really good shows from all the bands.

“It was great to see loads of regulars and loads of new faces.”

He said it was the seventh Record Store Day but the most popular so far, adding: “It has certainly gained popularity.

Oxford Mail: Euan Booth

“There has been a steady increase in interest. The first year there were 80 different releases and yesterday there were 600 different releases.”

And he added: “It is obviously a great boost for business, great for profile and it is great to see everybody getting together and using the record store for what it should be used for – and that is meeting people and discovering new music.

“That is what we are here for.”