A woodland regeneration group held an event in an Oxfordshire village at the weekend to celebrate its 25 year anniversary.

Friends of Island Pond Wood is an ongoing maintenance and regeneration project for Island Pond Wood in Launton near Bicester. 

On Saturday (September 21) the group invited members of the community to come together to mark the special occasion.

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Around 150 people attended the event, which featured a dog competition, cream tea, a cake stall, face painting, a picnic and a raffle.

There was also the opportunity for members of the community to plant a new willow arch. 

The event appeared to be well received by the community, with lots of smiling faces and wagging tails, and nearly £700 was raised. 

Friends of Island Pond Wood hosts events each year and encourages villagers to become members for £10 a year to help fund the general upkeep of the pond. 

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The group was formed when a tree was planted 25 years ago when the woodland was just a field.

Woodland management lead and volunteer, Chloe Bradford said: "These events are crucial for us to raise much needed funds for the ongoing maintenance of the woodland.

"We’re very grateful for the local community coming out to support us, it was great to see them enjoying the woodland.

"This special spaces has been a part of the village for 25 years, and we hope its legacy will live well into the future."

Rob Dowman, chair of the group, added: "We’d also like to take this opportunity to thank the local businesses that donated prizes for the raffle, peekaboos for donating their session for free and the neighbours for their patience and understanding during the event with increased traffic and footfall."