A mysterious humming noise heard in Witney over the weekend could have been caused by a generator at the West Oxon Steam & Vintage Show.

Residents in the town said the noise could be heard throughout Saturday and Sunday and a dozen reported the sound to West Oxfordshire District Council.

Today the district council said environmental health officers may have narrowed down the cause.

Spokeswoman Sara Long said: "Council environmental health officers are investigating the humming noise reported in Witney this weekend.

"It is thought that the noise could have been caused by a generator at the steam fair taking place on the Ducklington side of town.

"If this is found to be the case, the council will contact the event organiser to suggest steps to prevent this happening again at any of their future events."

Ms Long said the cause could also possibly be a split in an aeration lane owned by Thames Water.

The lane allows air to be pumped into waste water as part of sewage treatment.

She said engineers from the company were in Witney yesterday to fix the problem.