THE organiser of one of Oxfordshire's most beloved traditions has expressed his sadness at having to cancel the event for the first time in 67 years.

Don Rouse, 83, was bracing himself for his final Bampton Shirt Race, after being involved in it since 1970.

The shirt race, which was due to be held in May, traditionally sees competitors dress in nightshirts and race through the village in prams and chariots.

Mr Rouse is a former chairman of the SPAJERS (Society for the Preservation of Ancient Junketing), which organises the event every year.

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This year, there was special plans in place as Dutch band Amigo - from Oxford's twin city Leiden - were set to perform at the race, the Westgate shopping centre and the Ashmolean museum.

At the museum is currently an exhibit of Rembrandt's work, who was born in Leiden.

The race has its origins in 1953, the year of the Queen's coronation.

Mr Rouse said that many towns and villages raised a lot of money to celebrate, and in Bampton, festivities included fancy dress cricket and a football match between Bampton men and women.

Since then, the SPAJERS have organised a shirt race every year, with the money raised going towards the elderly in the village.