MORE than 1,200 young musicians hit all the right notes over the weekend in Oxford as they played their part in the world's largest youth music festival.

The Barton estate came alive to the sound of music as youngsters from across the county and beyond took part in the Oxford Festival of Music for Youth, held at Bayards Hill Primary School.

It was one of a series of 57 regional festivals.

The festivals, which aim to give young music groups the opportunity to further their musical experience through performance, mark their 35th anniversary this year.

Event organiser Pat Forster said: "The festival provided a brilliant opportunity for all kinds of young musicians.

"Performing in front of live audiences is a vital element in spurring on young people to greater achievement.

"We've had a fantastic weekend of music - and Oxfordshire showed how to celebrate 35 years in style."

A total of 48 groups performed over the weekend, with 27 groups taking to the stage on Saturday and another 21 performing on Sunday.

They ranged from piano quintets and bassoon ensembles to a north India Punjabi Dhol drumming group and a recorder orchestra. Also performing were wind bands, string quartets, musical theatre groups and a harp ensemble.

The festival series continues across the country throughout March, finishing at the start of April.

By this stage, more than 40,000 young performers will have taken part in the festival, and 300 groups will be invited to go on to perform at the National Festival of Music for Youth, in Birmingham, in July, for a six-day celebration of youth music-making at the city's Symphony Hall.

Thirty groups will then be selected for a schools' Prom at London's Royal Albert Hall, in November.