VILLAGERS came out in their droves to see the return of one of Oxfordshire’s zaniest traditions.

The Bampton Shirt Race - which sees teams pushing each other around the village in homemade chariots, stopping only to down beer along the way - returned for the 66th time on Saturday.

Teams taking part in the fancy dress parade blew organisers away with their skill and originality - with themes including Harry Potter, the RAF, a ghost train and the Royal baby.

Race coordinator Don Rouse said: “We couldn’t believe it. Some of the effort and ingenuity that went into the designs was unbelievable.

“It’s always amazing how the community of Bampton responds, and it’s all for a good cause. We’re having fun today so that senior citizens can have fun tomorrow.”

The event managed to avoid heavy rain and electrical storms that took place at other times across the weekend.

Mr Rouse added: "It must be coming from Bampton that makes us lucky.”

While the races - three for different age groups - are still at the centre of the event, fancy dress and chariot building has become a major part of it in recent years.

The event is run by the Society for the Preservation of Ancient Junketing (Spajers) and raises cash for elderly residents in the community.

One team of family and friends had used witchcraft and wizardry to create a Harry Potter-themed vehicle.

Alex Miller, who played Professor McGonagall, and her son Will, who was playing Harry, spoke to the Oxford Mail before the race.

Mrs Miller, of Bampton, said: “We just love Bampton and the sense of community spirit. You really don’t get this anywhere else.”

Will, who said the team’s objective was to make it to the end of the race in one piece, added: “We’re going to use all of our magical powers.”

Nick Johnson, of Clanfield, was pushed along the course in a 100-year-old Victorian cart. Mr Johnson who, with dummy and rattle, was playing the new Royal baby, said it was important to keep tradition alive.

The adult baby, who said his age was anywhere between two and 62, added: “ It’s good to support anything historic in Bampton like these events put on by Spajers.”

Judges said the best junior chariot was Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory and the best adult chariot was the ghost train.

The junior race winners were Thomas Passey and Elias Easterbrook. Intermediate winners were Ben Wannell and Matthew Waite. Adult winners were James Barber and Arni Tomlins.