FESTIVAL season is long gone but Witney residents enjoyed a different type of fair aimed at improving their physical and mental wellbeing.

A host of stalls and exhibits were on offer in Langdale Hall on Saturday as a Health Fair rolled into town to provide advice on staying fit.

Organised by Patient & Public Partnership West Oxfordshire alongside several groups, the event saw activities including inter-generational dance, face painting and healthy snack swaps.

Despite the relaxed atmosphere there was a serious message, with the theme of ‘Health and Wellbeing – How do you Score?' inviting residents to test their health for themselves.

Graham Shelton, chairman of the Patient & Public Partnership, was keen to emphasise that the fun and games were all in aid of staying healthy.

He said: "The answer is that you don't need to go to the gym and do weight training, just think more carefully about what you eat.

"It's all about simple advice, like give up smoking and have a drink but don't be silly about it.

"You don't need to ban certain foods but just be a bit more thoughtful and considerate about what you eat.

"You think you haven't got time to go out and exercise but we had intergenerational dancing - it was absolutely lovely and anyone can do it."

Mr Shelton became chairman of the partnership four years ago, soon after the group was formed by Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (OCCG) to gain a better idea of patients' views.

It hosts several events annually, with the Health Fair marking the end of the programme for 2018.

Residents took part in a range of interactive activities, including having their blood pressure tested by the Stroke Association and playing healthy eating board games.

People of all ages were invited to find out more by more than 20 organisations, including MIND, Citizen's Advice West Oxfordshire and Healthwatch Oxfordshire.

The latter joined OCCG, Oxfordshire County Council and West Oxfordshire District Council in organising the day's activities.

Mr Shelton paid tribute to Merlyn Mistry, health improvement practitioner at Oxfordshire County Council's Public Health Team, for 'doing all the donkey work' of ensuring each organisation attended.