COUNCIL leaders in Abingdon have pledged to overcome health and safety worries so a traditional bun throwing ceremony can be held to celebrate the Royal wedding.

After Prince William and Kate Middleton announced their engagement, civic leaders’ minds immediately turned to the ancient bun throwing ceremony staged every time there is a significant Royal event.

As part of the tradition dating back to the coronation of King George III in 1761, the mayor and other councillors climb to the roof of the old County Hall and pelt the residents below.

But a £3.5m project to re-novate the town’s museum means parts of the building could be covered in scaffolding for next year’s wedding, with the roof and stairs ripped up.

But Mayor Duncan Brown said last night the town council would work hard to ensure that the bun-throwing ceremony does go ahead.

He said: “It’s a bit naughty of Prince William to wait until work started on the museum before announcing this but I am confident that we will find a way around the problem.

“The Royal wedding will take place in spring or summer next year, which coincides with work at the museum.

“The feedback we get from the general public is that they want more and more bun-throwing so this is a very exciting opportunity.”

There are also plans for bun-throwing in 2012 as part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

Deputy Mayor Alistair Fear added: “We will have to talk to the contractors and make sure all the health and safety considerations are covered.

“I am sure a risk assessment will be carried out so that councillors are allowed on to the roof. Bun throwing really brings in the crowds and we have not had an event in the town since 2006.”

One couple hoping that the bun-throwing does go ahead are former Wiltshire Police officers Kate Stalder and Phil May.

Ms Stalder, 29, and Mr May, 28, who live in Faringdon, opened Throwing Buns earlier this year in the shadow of County Hall and are now doing a roaring trade.

Mr May said: “We will be lobbying hard for the bun throwing to go ahead and it would be outrageous if it didn’t because of health and safety. It’s a fantastic tradition and it’s crucial that councillors are allowed on the roof.”