Hundreds of sportsmen and women face an uncertain future after three key officers quit a major organisation over its 'old-fashioned attitudes'.

In recent weeks Bicester Sports Association (BSA) has lost its chairman, Henry Evans, vice-chairman, Ken Walton and treasurer Henry Franklin. A fourth committee member, Jim Peters, has also left.

Mr Evans and Mr Franklin said they had become frustrated at the unwillingness of committee members to change rules and regulations dating back to the early 20th century.

One rule, dating back to 1929, stated that no-one could become a committee member if they lived more than five miles from the tower of St Edburg's parish church.

Mr Evans said: "I have resigned out of sheer frustration. I felt I had worked extremely hard to move the BSA forward."

Mr Franklin said: "I resigned due to a general frustration as I could not seem to get things done."

Committee member Graham Nash said: "BSA is not in dire straits. We have to redo things and re-assess our priorities. The three nominated trustees, in whose names the assets are held, are still with us."

The BSA oversees the town's rugby, cricket, football and rifle clubs, which use the association's grounds at Oxford Road, Bicester, and Akeman Street, Chesterton.