WHILE Team GB prepares to do battle in London, the residents of Oxford's Osney Island are limbering up for some sporting action of their own this weekend, in their own Diamond Jubilee Olympics.

On Saturday, at noon, the ‘Games’ will be officially opened by “the Queen”, Karen Brooks, and by a lap around the island by the Osney Island Olympic torch bearer, Lenny Dunstan, aged 11, from East Street.

There will be a packed programme of events throughout the day, kicking off with a mile run, starting outside The Punter pub at 12.15pm, and followed by a three-legged race, egg and spoon and a raft race.

The Duck Race has already sold 150 ducks while scooter races, skate-boarding slaloms and even the hobby horse dressage are expected to be popular.

One of the event’s organisers, Annabel Dunstan, 46, from East Street, said: “We have had lots of events here on the island in the past, but nothing as ambitious and exciting as this.

“A few of us residents came up with the idea on the train to work one morning.

“We thought it would be great to have a fun family day and also mark the Olympics and the Jubilee at the same time and it’s just taken off.”

In addition to the sporting events, the day will also celebrate the cultural side of the Olympics with art displays.

Food will also feature with street fayre and lashings of cream teas set against a backdrop of live music.

The culmination of the day – and the most hotly contested event – will be the inter-street tug-of-war at 5.30pm.

Mrs Dunstan said: “All we need now are more competitors!

“So far we have very few entrants for the opening mile – which is three and a half times around the island, and we would love more.

“We’d also welcome more tug-of-war teams to join our own East Street versus West Street battle.

“And we are planning a slow bicycle ride, with the slowest across the finishing line winning a place on the podium and winning one of our fabulous chocolate medals.”

The fun starts at noon and goes on until 6pm. Everyone is welcome.