The colour of Oxford's Cowley Road Carnival brightened up a dull and windy day at Thame Show today.

Young people from East Oxford, who took part in this year's carnival, joined members of the Oxford Pegasus Theatre Group to perform songs and dances.

Several children donned cowhorn headdresses to make up for the absence of cattle and sheep categories, abandoned due to the foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks.

However, the show - usually the biggest one-day agricultural show in England - still attracted thousands of people despite the unsettled weather. All the major competitions for horses, donkeys, dogs, caged-birds, rabbits, flowers, fruit and vegetables went ahead.

In the domestic tent, youngsters from Great Milton, Wheatley and Ickford schools showed off the produce they had grown for an allotment project.

Historic and classic cars were on show, along with a selection of vintage farm machinery, and the annual ploughing match also went ahead. Main ring attractions included hunting hounds, a sheepdog display, and terrier racing.