VISITORS were given a taste of country life as one of Oxfordshire's biggest rural events returned for another year.

Thame Country Fair brought ferret racers, anglers and horseboarders to the Thame showground for two days over the bank holiday weekend.

After being washed out on the second day last year due to an Easter Monday downpour, organisers switched the dates of the fair this year.

Guests were treated to a range of country pursuits including dog shows, wood carving, live music and falconry.

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Nick Burn brought his pack of bloodhounds down from near Uttoxeter to show off their hunting skills.

The master huntsman, who has been working with hounds for 42 years, said the country fair helped to raise awareness about the sport.

He said: "We take them to the shows so people can find out a bit more about them and their hunting history.

"I take them around the ring and do a short talk.

"We're one of only 11 packs left in the country so this is living heritage that people are seeing."

Mr Burn explained that the dogs are trained to hunt people, taking part in a sport where they chase a person through fields after a 20-40 minute headstart.

Running alongside horse-backed riders, the dogs trace the scent of person before they catch up with them.

Mr Burn said: "There is no escape. They can pick up a scent even after 24 hours.

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"When they get you they will either lick you to death or lose interest and go back to their owners.

"Even though you know you are safe, there is always that sense of adrenalin when you can feel the hounds bearing down on you.

"People love seeing them out and about. There is always a lot of interest."

Novices and elites tried their hand in the horseboarding competition, cheered on by crowds of spectators.

An extreme sport which combines horse riding and mountain boarding, a rider on a horse tows the boarder on an off road skateboard around a twisting, turning course while reaching speeds of 28mph.

This year saw a bigger and better world of dogs arena including the ever popular gun dog multi scurry challenge.

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Virginia Luis-Fuentes' cocker spaniel Whizz came second in the novice category of the direct retrieve competition in which dogs have to pick up four out of six dummies over a 50-80 meter course.

Ms Luis-Fuentes, who had travelled from Hertford, said: "She loves taking part so much. You can see her trembling with excitement when she's preparing to go out.

"We try to get out to as many of the country fairs as possible but this was our first time in Thame.

"They all have a slightly different character but there's always so much to see when we are not competing."

Famous face John Challis, who played Boycie in Only Fools and Horses, was also in attendance.