CULTURE-lovers came together to celebrate the start of their town’s month-long arts festival.

The annual Wantage Summer Festival is now in its 13th year, and hundreds of people enjoyed the launch of this year Morris dancing and music from the Wantage Youth band in Market Place on Saturday.

Organiser Julia Reynolds said: “It was a lovely occasion, with lots of people there, including our mayor and town crier.”

Events will be taking place over the next month, with walks, events at the Wantage museum and celebrations for Childrens’ Day.

Town crier Nigel Thornbury, 64, said: “It was very successful, and there was a good crowd there.

“It was helped by the Wantage Silver band, which got the crowd together. It was a good start for the festival.”

Pictured are brothers Christopher and Laurence Wells from the Wantage Youth Band.