THE AUNT of Witney schoolgirl Liberty Baker has paid tribute to the 'amazing' volunteers who this year will once again organise a festival in memory of her niece.

LibFest 2019 will be held on The Leys in Witney on Saturday, June 29, after taking a break last year due to maintenance work on the recreation ground.

The family event takes place almost exactly five years after the Henry Box School pupil was killed by a dangerous driver while walking to school with friends on June 30, 2014.

The previous three editions of the festival have raised £70,000 for various charities, largely thanks to the dedicated members of the LibFest team.

Among the volunteers is Liberty's aunt Michala Matthewson, who praised the 16-strong group that will ensure the smooth running of the event.

She said: "We're tremendously grateful, I can't put it into words.

"They put hours and hours into it and they're nothing short of amazing.

"It's still very emotional for us all - the build up is always sad but I know we will enjoy the day.

"It's all about remembering Liberty and raising funds for charity."

LibFest was first held in June 2015 and the annual event continued for the next two years, always on the closest weekend to the 14-year-old's death.

But The Leys was off limits in June 2018 as Witney Town Council carried out planned maintenance work on the football pitch.

Organisers decided not to hold the event later in the year but promised an 'even more special' festival in 2019.

Last week, organisers announced the date for LibFest 2019 and revealed their three chosen charities.

They are SeeSaw, which helps children dealing with grief and has always been supported by the festival, Epilepsy Research UK and Brainstorm, which raises funds for brain tumour research.

The latter two have tragic connections themselves, with one member of the LibFest team losing their daughter to a brain tumour two years ago.

Meanwhile, the daughter of a family friend of the Baker's recently passed away from complications around an epileptic fit.

Although it is an emotional time, LibFest team member Faye Carrick said it was important the festival returned better than ever this year.

She said: "We've still got the same team with a couple of additional people so there's always new ideas.

"We just want to be able to put on a family festival that raises money for charity and keeps Liberty's memory alive.

"It's something for the family to hang on to and to give them a positive spin on a tragic event."

Plans for this year's festival are still at an early stage, but the event is expected to begin with the traditional 5k fun run.

Meanwhile, families will be able to enjoy several attractions that reflect Liberty's love of sport and music.

Live dance acts and an open mic stage are in the pipeline, as is a new set of activities in the festival's children's zone.