SCORCHING temperatures did not deter thousands of people from flocking to Blenheim Palace for BBC Countryfile Live this weekend.

This year marked the show's 30th anniversary and organisers went bigger than ever as the self-styled 'world's biggest country fair' returned to Woodstock for the third successive year.

Oxford Mail:

Upon arrival, visitors were greeted with the competing smells of gourmet burger vans and farm animals as stalls and attractions stretched into the horizon.

Demonstrations and shows were unmistakeably aimed at a family audience, giving the event a friendly feel despite an estimated 120,000 people attending over four days.

Oxford Mail:

Revellers travelled from across the country for the show, but Oxfordshire residents made the most of the festival on their doorstep and turned out in good numbers.

Laura Jones, from Leafield, near Witney, brought three generations of her family along on Saturday and enjoyed seeing a different aspect of farming.

She said: "I've got relatives from age nine to 80 here today.

"We've just moved from Witney to a more rural area and we're surrounded by sheep so it's nice to learn more about them."

Oxford Mail:

Despite several farmers wearing 'ask a farmer' t-shirts, the show had much more than just pigs, sheep and cows.

A walkway across the River Glyme led people to the wildlife zone, where four-year-old Charlie Brockall was trying a bird mask on for size.

His mother Beth said: "We came last year and we knew how much of a great family event it is."

Thrill-seeking children did not have to look far for fun, with activities including canoeing, a zipwire and a natural playground entitled '50 things to do before you're 11 and three quarters'.

Oxford Mail:

For those after a more relaxed day, more than 30 stages and arenas hosted a variety of entertainment, from music acts to Q&As between celebrities and the stars of the BBC show.

Stalls set up by big retailers and village butchers stood side-by-side, offering all sorts of products.

Saturday culminated in the first ever Countryfile summer party in the evening, as artists lit up the main stage with the palace providing a stunning backdrop.

The UK’s biggest-selling country act The Shires headlined the bill, supported by acoustic guitar artist Newton Faulkner and country folk duo Ferris & Sylvester.

While these artists are used to playing in front of thousands of people, Oxfordshire's musical talent also showcased its skills on some of the smaller stages.

Yarnton Silver Band was one of several groups from across the county invited to perform and euphonium player Emma Sherratt, from Bicester, appreciated it was a great opportunity.

She said: "It's a very local event for Yarnton and to be representing your area is great."

Her son George, 10, also plays the euphonium and said he found the event very exciting.

He said: "It's probably the biggest event we do."