Abingdon has a keen affection for Royalty, according to researchers working for the leading Internet search engine, Google.

By logging where most searches are made for particular words or phrases, Google has identified regional interests.

It appears that St Albans is obsessed with dieting and keep fit, Liverpudlians are keen on fashion, the people of Aberdeen like money and those living in Gateshead want to know more about actress Kate Winslet.

No such quirky queries from the people of Abingdon.

Residents of the country's oldest continuously inhabited town appear to have a fondness for the Royal Family.

Mieneke Cox, who has written five books on the history of Abingdon, says she can't understand why townspeople should be more interested in the Royal family than those in other parts of the country.

She said: "Although Abingdon can lay claim to several royal events, it has no more royal connections than many other towns and cities.

"The closest royal connection was during the times of Abingdon Abbey, but after the dissolution in 1538, there were no more royal visitors here than in other towns."

Mrs Cox said one of the most famous episodes was when Charles I and his Queen Henrietta met for the last time at Barton Court in Abingdon in 1644 before she fled to France.

During the Civil War, Abingdon favoured the King against Oliver Cromwell, but was under the puritanical boot for much of the war.

Irish prisoners were hanged by Roundheads, giving rise to the phase "Old Abingdon Law, where execution precedeth tryal ".

Cromwell visited Abingdon in April and May 1645 and before his troops took over, the King held several war councils in the town.

William of Orange stayed at a house in East St Helen Street in 1688 before moving to London to take the throne from James II, who sought asylum in France.

The town's tradition of bun throwing from the top of the old County Hall celebrate royal events from the 18th century.

The next bun-throwing will be on June 10 as part of the celebrations to mark the 450th celebrations of the granting of the Royal Charter.