DONKEYS swapped sandy beach walks for cross-country racing at an annual derby day in West Oxfordshire.

Youngsters put them through their paces at the Bampton Donkey Derby today, which drew hundreds of people from the area.

This year's event benefitted from much sunnier weather after a washout in 2015.

Cash raised will go towards a day trip to the coastal town of Swanage, in East Dorset, for senior citizens in the village.

Aidan Harris, from Langford, came first in one race riding the donkey Jenny.

The seven-year-old said: "It was really fun and very bouncy. That was the first time I've ever rode a donkey."

Little brother Mason, five, said: "Donkeys are really nice and soft. Mine was very springy but very fast."

Their mum Rowan Harris joked she should have had more faith in her children.

The 42-year-old added: "I didn't put a bet on them and I'm regretting that now.

"It has been a really lovely day."

The derby saw six donkeys brought down from Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, where they are more used to sand than the grassy pastures of Bampton.

Organiser and MC Don Rouse, from Bampton, said he had been running the event since it started in 1969.

It was the brainchild of the village’s fundraising committee, the Society for the Preservation of Ancient Junketing (SPAJERS), which uses money from the event to organise a summer day trip to the coast for elderly people every year.

Mr Rouse, 79, said: "It's a unique event. Other places do things like this but this one has been going on for longer.

"People love it because it's something a little bit different and the atmosphere is brilliant.

"The timing is also perfect, as it is at the end of the school holidays before everybody goes back next week.

"For everyone in the village, it's a wonderful opportunity to get together and catch up at the end of the summer."

He added: "The most important thing is that it raises money for SPAJERS so our senior citizens can go and have some fun as well.

"We have got two coach loads going on Wednesday to Swanage and both will be full, which is fantastic."

Whereas the village’s landlords once had their own race, pubs and firms now just sponsor races.

Villagers also pay to sponsor the donkeys and can place a bet.

It also features bric-a-brac stalls, skittles and Aunt Sally.