More than 130,000 people enjoyed hot sunshine for the world's biggest country sports and game fair over the weekend.

Countryside lovers from across the UK and beyond descended on the grounds of Blenheim Palace, in Woodstock, for the 50th CLA Game Fair.

Among the visitors was Prince Philip who was there to present long service awards to gamekeepers from large estates - including Blenheim. He also met the British Olympic shooting team and wished them well before heading off to Beijing.

Thankfully, traffic, which clogged roads and caused traffic chaos across Oxford on Friday, eased over the weekend.

Colin, Pat and Rachel Little, from Bedgrove, near Aylesbury, took their 14-week-old springer spaniel Fern with them on Saturday.

Mrs Little, 39, said: "This is our first time at the game fair at Blenheim and so far it has been excellent."

Rachel, nine, added: "I have watched the hearing dogs for the deaf and I thought they were really clever."

More than 1,000 exhibitors showcased their goods over 500 acres of the Duke of Marlborough's estate, including jewellery, clothing, footwear and gift stalls.

Dog lovers had a host of displays to pick from, while others tried their hands at fly-fishing and clay pigeon shooting.

James Tate, 12, of Long Crendon, near Thame, and friend Will Cozens, 11, of Aylesbury, were both given fly-fishing tuition.

James said: "I have done shooting with air rifles, which was great but fly-fishing comes a close second.

"The instructor was very good. He was teaching me how to cast in different ways. So far this game fair has been fantastic."

And it wasn't just the men trying out the fishing. Fiona Rolt, 57, of Upper Wardington, near Banbury, said: "I enjoyed the fly-fishing enormously. I am off on a fishing holiday in September and wanted to have a lesson before I went."

Big crowds also gathered to watch the terriers versus lurchers 'grudge match', when the breeds raced each other around an arena.

Gary O'Brien, sons Elliott and Cameron, along with friends Nicholas Paine and Sam Suttcliffe, competed against each other in the laser clay shooting event.

Mr O'Brien, of Stratton Audley, near Bicester, said: "We enjoy the active parts of game fairs. We like to take part in as many activities as possible. It has been great fun."

Rosie, Lucy and Maria Miles, from Chandlers Ford, near Southampton, attended with their father Chris, who had a stall showcasing his company Econergy's products, wood fuel boilers.

Mr Miles said: "I have been mixing work and pleasure. Maria was intrigued by a wood carver and now thinks that is something she would like to do."

Scott Heirene, from Reading, was proud as punch when he caught a bream weighing about 5lbs.

The 31-year-old, delighted with his catch, said: "Apparently, I was the first to have caught something of this size at the event."