The WOMAD festival was a real family affair for many people who travelled from far and wide to enjoy the unique mix of music and entertainment in a laid back atmosphere.

Despite grey clouds threatening to drench the colourfully clad festival goers the rain held off and nearly everyone seemed to be finding something to enjoy.

The Short family from Marlborough had gone to the festival straight from school on Friday and still had their school uniforms tucked away in their tent.

Dad Duncan said: “We have been here before but this is the first time camping.

“WOMAD has a great family atmosphere, and very relaxed and there is plenty to see.”

Nine-year-old Kieran had been enjoying the fun fair.

He said: “It’s been brilliant, I’m having a really good time.

“My favourite things so far have been going on the rides in the fun fair and the food.”

His sister Maya agreed. She said: “The best thing about camping is that I get to stay up late.”

On Friday headliners Ozmatli from LA wowed the audience at the Open Air Stage with their mix of rock, hip hop and salsa.

Friends Faye Hampton-Martin, 26, and Alex Rainford, 26, from London loved the performance.

Miss Hampton-Martin has been coming for more than ten years.

She said: “Ozmatli were amazing, they blew the place apart.

“They got some kids to come up on stage who were dancing around and they also came out into the crowd, it was brilliant.

“The nice thing about WOMAD is you have a mixture of stages, some under tents and some out in the elements.”

Miss Rainford said she missed the creative decorations that used to adorn the inside of the Siam tent, which is now plain.

She said: “One of the first things we would do when we arrived was check out the inside of the Siam tent.

“There used to be dream catchers and all kinds of decorations inside, it looked amazing.

“The past few years they’ve stopped doing that which is a real shame.”

Also impressing the revellers on Friday was Chumbawumba on the Radio 3 Stage and Nigerian born drummer and songwriter Tony Allen.

On the Open Air Stage at 7pm a group of Congolese polio victims were making their UK debut. Staff Benda Bilili, which included three musicians in wheelchairs and one on crutches, got the crowd buzzing with their combination of rumba, funk and R&B.

For Steve Pedherick, 59, from Cornwall, this was his 27th WOMAD.

He said the laid back atmosphere was what kept bringing him back.

“The music is fantastic and everyone always enjoys themselves,” he said.

The WOMAD veteran gave Charlton Park the stamp of approval. He said: “This is a lovely place.

“It’s a great site, it’s bigger and better than the old one.”

His friend Georgina Hopwood agreed. She said: “There is more space here, we like it.

“There is also less crime. There was definitely more at the Reading site.”

For world music aficionados the Byrne brothers and their wives there was plenty to enjoy with 70 artists from 30 different countries performing throughout the weekend.

Jamie Byrne, 33, from London, was having to eat his pepperoni and jalapeño pizza while hampered by a sling following a bicycle accident. He thought WOMAD was good value for money.

He said: “I’m really into world music and here there are always four or five acts which are worth the ticket price alone.

“This year Tony Allen was absolutely superb, just out of this world.

“We also really liked Ska Cubana and the Afrobeat Orchestra.”

His wife Mayomi, 29, described herself as a WOMAD virgin and was enjoying her first taste of the festival.

She said: “The flags are amazing, it’s a beautiful place with all sorts of things going on.

“There aren’t many queues for things and the toilets are pretty good. They’re working hard to keep everything clean.”

Such is the family friendly nature of WOMAD there were plenty of babies and toddlers there.

Rachel Pullar from Bristol at her first festival for two years had come along with five month old daughter Eden.

Pictures by Diane Vose