CHARLOTTE Church and actor-turned musician Hugh Laurie were among the celebrities to praise the Cornbury Music Festival, which came to a spectacular end late last night.

And the stars on stage were matched by those in the audience – who included a denim-clad David Cameron who was seen dodging the rain with his wife Samantha and their children.

The Prime Minister and Witney MP was seen briefly talking to his former press secretary Andy Coulson.

But it is not known what they were discussing, nor whether the pair bumped into another mutual friend, former News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks who also attended.

Ms Church delighted crowds by dropping into the festival, at Great Tew Park, near Chipping Norton, as a special guest and described it as “amazing”. Speaking exclusively to the Oxford Mail, she said: “It’s such a lovely festival with a great crowd. I was singing new material so people didn’t know what to expect. But everyone I saw was getting into it.

Mr Laurie, who originally hails from Oxfordshire and became a household name through Blackadder and US hospital drama House, performed at the three-day event with his New Orleans-style jazz group The Copper Bottom Band. He said: “It has been an incredible thrill.”

Coming on stage on Saturday after a heavy rain shower, he paid tribute to the audience, wrapped up in waxed jackets, ponchos and wellies. “I admire your British resilience,” he said.

Other stars at the ninth Cornbury – and the second in its home at Great Tew, included Jools Holland, Elvis Costello, Macy Gray, blues guitarist Seasick Steve and singer-songwriter James Morrison.

Others spotted in the extensive VIP lounge were TV presenter Noel Edmonds, comedian Dom Joly, Countryfile’s John Craven and Adam Henson, former Blur bassist-turned cheesemaker Alex James, and Holby City actress Tina Hobley.

Festival director Hugh Phillimore said: “I’m thrilled. The weather has been a drag and we kept on getting wet, but it looks like everyone had a good time. The line-up was our best yet. Elvis Costello was staggering.”

Staff and parents at nearby Great Tew Primary School raised money to build a much-needed fourth classroom by selling cake and more than 5,000 cups of tea.

Sharn Woodgate, who has two children at the school, said: “We need £130,000 by the end of the year, and are almost there.”

Also entertaining crowds were Charlbury Morris Men. The side’s squire Peter Smith said: “We had a wonderful time.”