WATER-POWERED rockets soared up to 35 metres through the air on Sunday as children took advantage of the sunny weather to enjoy some rather wet activities.

Families enjoyed building 40 of the high-pressure projectiles to see how high they could go with the help of Culham Science Campus apprentices at the Earth Trust’s annual Water Festival at its base in Little Wittenham, near Didcot.

The rockets proved so popular organisers ran out of materials at the annual festival.

Earth Trust communications officer Lucy Benyon said: “The sunny weather definitely helped and we had lots of people turn up.

“We’ve been holding an autumn festival for a while now but we only added the water theme a couple of years ago.

“People took part in sustainable water plays and, obviously, the water rocket competition was very competitive.”

Engineering consultants Atkins provided their own challenge, inviting people to work out how Oxford could be saved if the city was flooded.

There was also a pumpkin hunt, refreshments and a quiz, plus crafts and games including charcoal art and pond dipping.

The Earth Trust works to make people more aware of changes to the environment and how it affects our lives.