Ken Farrington, Tom King in the TV soap Emmerdale, will be in the limelight at Charlbury when he drops by at the town for its annual street fair.

It is the 50th anniversary of the event this year, and organisers promise it will be better than ever.

As usual, the biggest event on the town's calendar starts with a three-legged race around local pubs on Friday, September 16, followed by the main fair the following day.

Mr Farrington will judge the children's fancy dress contest before he officially opens the event at 2pm on Saturday. From then on there will be a fun fair at the Playing Close and stalls, a barbecue and games outside the Bell in Church Street.

The Grand Evening Parade from Nine Acres to Church Street will start at 6.45pm, and the evening continues with live music and dancing in the streets until 10pm.

Organiser Susie Finch said: "The fair used to be held on the Mill Field, but it's got bigger and better every year. We're praying for good weather."

The event raises money for two well-used community buildings, the Corner House and the Memorial Hall. The first fair was held in September 1955, when the Memorial Hall was being built.

This year a free costume workshop is being held at the Shed in Nineacres Lane on Saturday September 3 from 10am to 4pm, to help people make their costume for the parade.

On September 18, the day after the fair, the 17th annual Street Fair Fun Run takes place from the Playing Close at 10.30am. Entrants can tackle either a 10k run or a 2.5m walk through Cornbury Park.