AN OXFORDSHIRE village hosted its first annual tug-of-war competition in a bid to raise cash for the church tower fund.

Residents from Great Milton took to the village green on Sunday and were joined by those flocking from Great Haseley and Little Milton.

Volunteer Laura Putt, one of the organisers of the new-annual event said it was 'absolutely brilliant'.

Oxford Mail:

She said: "It started off as a little idea as the church needs a lot of money for the new church tower repairs.

"They need to show that they are trying to raise money through community fundraising so that they get grants.

"Our vicar from the church in Great Milton is also the vicar at the churches in Great Haseley and Little Milton."

The vicar circulates around all three of the areas in South Oxfordshire.

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She said: "So to get the community together and fundraise I had the idea of a tug of war for the three villages that he is the vicar of.

"It was so good. We thought it was going to be good but it was even better that that.

"All the community came together.

Oxford Mail:

"They don't have lots of people going to church anymore but there were so many people there – over 100 on the village green so it looked like so many!"

The co-organiser who also works with Clare Blakewell-Phillips added: "Great Milton won both the men's and the women's so we are the champions at the moment."

She added that next year she hopes the village wins again.

Revellers also enjoyed evening entertainment like singer Edwina Hayes who did vocals for 'My Sister's Keeper' as well as refreshments.