A MOTHER will keep her family’s annual tradition going this month by attending the Witney Feast.

Laura Townsend, 25, of Witney, was first taken to the event by her grandmother Ann Townsend when she was just a toddler.

The moment was captured on the front page of the Oxford Mail’s sister paper The Witney Gazette, in 1988.

Now, 23 years later, she will take her own toddler, 18-month-old William, to see the festivities for himself.

The Witney Feast takes place next Monday and Tuesday in The Leys and includes rides, sideshows and a pig roast.

Laura Townsend said: “The Witney Feast has been going for years and, as a child, we have always been.

“It is a nice way to end the summer and the children, particularly, love it.

“Now that I have got a son, the family tradition starts again.”

Ann Townsend has been attending the event for decades.

She said: “We are Witney born and bred and we love the Witney Feast.

“It brings everyone together and you see lots of old faces that you have not seen since the year before.

“This year’s event will be great and I suppose it will be continuing the family tradition.”

Four generations of the Townsend family will be attending this year’s event, including Ann, her three sons, 15 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

The feast has been running since 1243 and commemorates the rededication of St Mary’s Church.