ALMOST 2,000 people took a step back in time for a medieval fair at Oxford Castle.

The event, organised by the Oxford Preservation Trust and funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, featured everything from medieval cooking, to ancient games, weapons and warfare.

Oxford Preservation Trust director Debbie Dance said: "It was brilliant.

"There were masses of people here, people in chainmail, people cooking medieval food on open fires. It was great fun.

Visitors had a chance to learn traditional skills with a medieval flavour.

Mrs Dance said: "It took people back in time and was all about things that would have happened in the 15th century."

There were re-enactments of Anglo-Saxon and Viking life from the Wychwood Warriors and 12 foot effigies of King Stephen and Empress Matilda, who were embroiled in a feud in Oxford in 1142.