BANBURY'S waterways were teaming with boats and bubbles for the 13th annual Canal Day.

Boaters from near and far flocked to the event on Sunday which saw the Mill Arts centre open its doors for a day of entertainment, food and drink.

Sat in a giant duck, Caroline Watsham said she came every year but found this year's bubble theme particularly challenging when thinking about decorating her boat 'Scyeffe'.

The 51-year-old who has lived on her boat for 20 years said: "We were really struggling to think of how we would do up the boat this year, last year it was rainbows, which was certainly a lot easier.

"Then my youngest daughter suggested we turn it into a giant bubble bath. do we made a rubber duck out of wood and then my oldest daughter spent all morning blowing up 150 balloons.

"It is really great fun and in such a beautiful part of the county."

As her narrowboat passed through the canal, Ms Watsham had a bucket to collect money for Banbury's Horton General Hospital, ahead of the closure of its maternity services this week.

She added: "I feel really passionate about the hospital and it does not make any sense why they would be downgrading it, making it smaller when Banbury is just getting bigger.

"This is me trying to do my bit and people have been throwing in change throughout the day, which is excellent."

General Foods Garden hosted a free folk concert and there was a chance for residents to watch a blacksmith work.

Hook Norton Brewery kept the ale rolling and the hunger at bay and there were a variety of traders, falconry displays and fairground rides for people to enjoy.

Shelia Wilson-Smith said this was the first time she and her partner Jim Smith came to the event on their boat 'Islonian'.

The couple operate a business, 'Roversafloat', from their boat, selling flavoured ground coffees and teas.

Mrs Wilson-Smith said: "We were looking for something to finish the season off with.

"We have done one of two shows throughout the year and we have always really enjoyed them, so we thought we would give this one a try.

"It has been a really lovely day so far and I would definitely come back next year."

The annual event is organised by Banbury Town Council.