WOMAD returned to Charlton Park this weekend for its 42nd edition, with 37,000 people descending upon Wiltshire to enjoy one of the UK’s biggest independent festivals.

Thursday’s highlights included Italian reggae superstar Alborosie treating the main Stage to a bass-heavy slice of contemporary reggae sounds.

Friday roared into action under glorious sunshine with Ars Nova Napoli delighting the audience with a balance of virtuosity and vitality, returning later in the day to Taste The World for an intimate set then demonstrating their Italian culinary wizardry.

An ever-smiling Seckou Keita - “the Jimi Hendrix of the kora” - kicked things off on Saturday in the Siam Tent with his uplifting blend of Senegalese hip-hop and Afro-pop.

Supergroup Ghana Special featuring Pat Thomas, Charles Amoah and K.O.B hit the Open Air Stage with infectious dance rhythms while Brittany Davis’s unrivalled stage presence fielded comparisons to everyone from Jimmy Hendrix to Cardi B in a soulful, funk-heavy set rocking with her four-piece band whose gargantuan sound filled the arena.

Sunday saw the young and talented 79ers Gang rocking the Open Air Stage, mixing southern soul, blues and contemporary hip-hop for a vibrant performance, while later the Siam Tent shook to the raucous Norwegian rock folk-metal sounds of Gangar, fusing metal and jazz with the unique sound of Norway’s Hardanger fiddle.

Reflecting on very special WOMAD Baaba Maal said “It’s an honour to be part of this great festival.

"To be part of all these people coming together for the love of music and for my young musicians to experience a place where everyone is welcome.

"I’ve played WOMAD in Australia, and New Zealand this year and now to be back in the UK. Thank you WOMAD.”

Sampa The Great said: “This is the first time I’ve played WOMAD UK.

"I loved this stage, I felt alive on this stage and to be performing immediately after my icons, the Zam-rock pioneers WITCH was inspiring.”

All images by photographer Simon Pizzey.