BLINDING lights and dizzying heights visitors to Banbury town centre this week as the annual Michaelmas Fair returned once again.

The chartered street fair brings entertainment and thrills to thousands and is Banbury's biggest street event in the year.

It officially opened on Wednesday, October 9 with the handing-over of a symbolic Golden Key from the Wilson family, which owns the fair, to town representatives.

And as our pictures by Jon Lewis show, it was a spectacular scene.

Cherwell District Council chairman Chris Heath and Banbury Mayor Gordon Ross then toured the fairground, granting a free turn on any ride to anyone touched by the key.

Mr Heath said: "It may be one of the Banbury's oldest and most historic traditions but it remains one of the most popular.

"The fun of the fair spans generations from little ones dazzled by the lights, youngsters testing their nerve on the rides and adults who simply stroll around the attractions reliving their own happy childhood memories of the fair."

The Michaelmas Fair is more than 400 years old and began as a hiring fair, becoming a pleasure fair from the mid-1850s with swinging boats, a shooting gallery, peep shows and circus performances. In 1855 20,000 people descended on Banbury on a single day for the start of Michaelmas.

This year the fair brought the usual array of food stalls selling traditional treats such as candy floss and toffee apples, and side-shows such as the coconut shy and hook-a-duck.

Gentler rides such as the merry-go-round and carousel were on offer as well as bigger rides including the Miami, Superbowl and Waltzers.

Five-year-old Jessica Shurmer went for a spin on the Octopus ride. Mum Terri Haines, from Banbury, said: "We had a lovely night and were very lucky; it normally rains."