CHILDREN will race donkeys around a field as a quirky village tradition returns on Monday.

Bampton, near Witney, is holding its annual Donkey Derby in Sandford's Field, off Church View, at 2pm.

The donkey races are the main draw, but visitors can also try traditional games such as Aunt Sally and crockery smashing.

The event is run by Bampton's Society for the Preservation of Ancient Junketing (SPAJERS), which was formed in 1953 and also runs the village's famous shirt race in May.

Proceeds go to Bampton's senior citizens and the money traditionally sends two coach loads of pensioners to the seaside on Wednesday.

This year, SPAJERS are taking residents to Weston Super Mare, with the donkeys used on Monday hired from the seaside town.

Each Christmas, the organisation gifts a monetary Christmas present to all 400 pensioners living in Bampton and nearby village Lew, which they can spend on festive day out.