BANDS whose big day was rained off last year were finally given their chance to shine as one of ‘Europe’s largest free festivals’ returned.

Bunkfest took over the Oxfordshire town of Wallingford for the weekend in what organisers were calling ‘the best end of summer party ever’.

Initial estimates put the attendance at around 7,000 on Saturday afternoon with the sunshine expected to ensure numbers climbed ever higher over the course of the weekend.

Director Geoff Leon said bands including Talisman and Hope and Social were invited back to play after last year’s shows turned into a bit of a wash-out.

He said: “Last year we had the best Saturday ever and the worst Sunday.

“We’re so weather-dependent so a few of the bands ended up playing to a crowd of around 20 people.

“We wanted to have them back for another go because they are really great.”

Mr Leon said the free festival, which is almost entirely run by volunteers, costs £100,000 to put on and has been 11 months in the planning.

A ‘radical’ site re-design this year had made more room for people to enjoy bands on the large main stage while tents and stages across the town played host to everything from belly dancers to Morris Men.

Mr Leon, who along with his wife Jackie Kitchen ‘braved the shave’ in aid of Macmillan over the weekend added: “It takes a huge effort to organise.

“People have been on site for the last two weeks working 12 hours days.

“We do it because we can and seeing everyone enjoying themselves in the sun makes it just about worth it.

“We believe in putting on the best event we can for the town and keeping it free and open to all.

“We rely hugely on everyone coming out in support.”

Plans are already afoot for next year’s event, although a final decision on whether it will be held has not yet been made.

Compere for the day Marcus Harris, who played Julian in the Famous Five and is a sometime QVC presenter, said the crowds looked bigger than last year from his vantage point on the stage.

He added: “Bands have flown in from Italy and Canada and it is the only gig they are playing - they really want to come to Bunkfest and perform.

“Everyone seems to be really enjoying it - there’s so much enthusiasm.”

Among the crowds were Maureen McCann, who was visiting from London after hearing about the event from her cousin who used to live in the town.

She said: “There’s a really amazing amount of stuff going on - it’s incredible for such a small town.”

Wallingford resident Cindy Zudys, 69, said she felt the festival bound the whole community together and reflected all that is good about the town.