FOLK rock band Fairport Convention have described the weekend's Cropredy Festival as the best ever.

A capacity crowd of almost 20,000 people packed the festival field, near Banbury

for the 37th instalment of the event, which was set up and still run by Fairport.

They were treated to three days of fine weather and a mixed bill of bands which included folk, pop, reggae and prog-rock.

The festival came to a finale on Saturday night with the traditional three-hour show by Fairport – culminating in a massed sing-along to the folk classic Matty Groves, accompanied by Chris Leslie on banjo, before closing with their anthem to friendship Meet on the Ledge.

Bass player Dave Pegg, from Banbury, showed solidarity with campaigners fighting to keep services at the town's Horton General Hospital, by sporting a 'Hands of Our Horton' campaign T-shirt.

He told the crowd: "We've had the best weekend ever, with the best bands and the best music. Thank you God... She's been brilliant!"

The band's frontman, Simon Nicol agreed, adding simply: "What he said."

He also praised festival-goers for their positive attitude and for making the festival what it is – in particular, making the many new bands, such as Australian duo The Pierce Brothers who played earlier that day, feel so welcome.

Guests during the extended set included Banbury lad Toby Lee, 11, who won over the crowd with some virtuoso guitar work. Despite his age he seemed undaunted at performing in front of a packed field. He has previously played with blues legend BB King's band in Memphis, Tennessee.

Fairport, who celebrate their 50th anniversary as a band next year, also performed a tribute to their late fiddle player Dave 'Swarb' Swarbrick, who died in June. They played one of his songs, Rosie, and flashed images of the musician on large screens either side of the stage.

The festival also featured sets by 80s pop act Madness, bluegrass-rockers Hayseed Dixie, The Bootleg Beatles, Steeleye Span, Babylon Circus, The Pierce Brothers, Gryphon and Maia. Also joining the fun on Saturady was singer-songwriter Ralph McTell, who led the crowd in a rendition of his classic Streets of London.

Cropredy is unique among festivals both in terms of its longevity and the loyalty of its fans –with many making the journey to the north Oxfordshire field for decades.

Robert Wilkinson, 48, a teacher from Whitley Bay, on Tyneside, said: "It has been great for music this year. I don't believe in Ley Lines but if I did, I bet they'd all converge here. It's a very special place."

Daniel Crowe, 26, from Masham, North Yorkshire, was pulling pints at the festival bar. He said: "It's really nice here and the people are lovely. There's a great atmosphere especially when the sun's out."

Sarah Wilkinson, from East Oxford said: "I didn't know many of the bands this year but it's still been good. Madness were great fun and Fairport are always brilliant – they are the main reason we are here.

"I can't wait for next year's 50th anniversary – I'm sure they are going to pull something special out of the hat for that."