LAND and boat dwellers united in droves to explore Oxford's 'undiscovered' canal.

Oxford Canal Festival returned to Jericho's Aristotle Lane Recreation Ground on Saturday, for an afternoon of fun and entertainment to celebrate the waterway.

Families enjoyed boat trips, dog shows, short film screenings, live music and craft, as well as guided walks along the picturesque towpath.

Forging demonstrations drew a crowd courtesy of a blacksmith from Tooley’s Boatyard in Banbury.

The boatyard’s director Matt Armitage, who lives in Eynsham, said: “The waterways in Oxford are greatly underused, and this is just what we need to build awareness so people can realise they are here and they can use them more.

“The waterways in Oxford are a big part of our history - they were a vital part of our development.”

Among attendees of the festival was Dave Hartland, who lives in a narrowboat on the Oxford Canal.

He said: “I’ve been on the boat for seven years - I’m an outdoor person, so that’s what it’s about for me.”

The boater started his journey on the Kennet and Avon Canal and has travelled through various counties, but said he favoured Oxfordshire as it is ‘friendlier’.

It was his first time at the festival, which was jointly funded by individuals and organisations including the Canal & River Trust.

The trust's customer operations manager Lee King said: "This festival is a good opportunity for us, to meet people who might not have discovered the pleasures of the canal, and meet existing customers and get feedback."

Festival co-director Steph Pirrie thanked the trust for its support, as well as Oxford University, Thames Water, Oxford University Press, Inland Waters and a host of other organisations and private individuals.

She said: "The canal is a bit undiscovered in Oxford.

"It's a waterways city but nobody can really hang out around the canal in Jericho."

The musician and singer is a trustee of the Jericho Wharf Project, which campaigns for the redevelopment of Castle Mill Boatyard.

She added: "It [the boatyard] has been boarded up for a long time - people arrive in Jericho and don't understand why we haven't got great facilities

"We are working positively with the developer to realise a possible solution.

"In the meantime, this [festival] is bringing everyone together to celebrate the canal and show people it's here."

Money raised at the festival will help to fund the restoration of a narrowboat, which will be used as a performance space for the community.