SHOWERS of hail and heavy downpours failed to dampen the spirits of merrymakers across the city today.

Hundreds of families donned their wellies and raincoats before braving the disastrous showers to enjoy two Oxford festivals.

Revellers managed to shake off the rain and pop by the Oxford Canal Festival and Flofest despite the blasts of thunder and lightning which lashed down throughout the day.

East Oxford resident Dominic Woodfield stopped by Florence Park's Flofest extravaganza with partner Anna, four-year-old son Oliver and eight-year-old daughter Mila.

The environmental consultant said he arrived just as the rain began to tip down, adding: "It was great, in between the rain. The event just brings everybody together, It's sort of reaffirming. I enjoyed watching the kids have a good time."

It was the fourth time Florence Park was transformed into a paradise of family fun for the annual Flofest event, which saw musicians, performers and community groups join together.

A sea of visitors crowded the open air food court, rushing under the gazebos and tents when the rain began to pour but later enjoying festivities when the sunshine peered through the clouds.

Pony rides under the park's trees were cancelled after the heavy downpours but youngsters continued to have fun jumping through the puddles and dodging the muddy patches of grass.

Eleanor Mishra, who works at the Stoke Mandeville Hospital, visited Flofest for the first time with five-year-old Kal and two-year-old Anjali after travelling from Wheatley.

She said: "The children have had a great time. They have enjoyed the music and splashing in the puddles and all the rides. The festival gets us all out and it was really good fun."

Crowds packed into the muddy Aristotle Lane Recreation Ground for the Oxford Canal Festival, which had been revived by the community after featuring during the nineties.

Musicians, charities and businesses came together from 2pm at the canal-themed festival to unite the boating community and those living in houses near the canal.

Student Jo Hamilton, who has been living on a boat for the past seven years, said it was important to raise awareness in the city of living on the waters.

The 43-year-old added: "It's a chance to talk to people who live by the canal. I love living on a boat. It's a great place to work and study."

Youngsters got stuck in with traditional canal art Roses and Castles, decorating their own keepsake souvenir, while other revellers enjoyed learning about the canal with organisatons including the Jericho Wharf Trust.

Marianne Stevens, who has been living on a boat for the past nine years and led the art demonstrations, said: "People who live on boats have always been slightly outside of mainstream society. The event build bridges with the community and shows people what we are about."