A CARVED wooden ox head crowned with flowers fronted a colourful parade through Abingdon town centre.

The spectacle was courtesy of Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers and their annual ‘mock mayor’ election, which took place on Saturday.

Merry Morris dancers jingled through the streets from 10am, as residents and businesses in Ock Street voted for their new ‘mayor’ at the Brewery Tap pub.

Harry Knight retained the title as Mayor of Ock Street for the third year running, winning with 62 votes above competitors Nic Sipson, who gained 56, and Roger Cox with 35.

The quirky tradition sees the mayor carried through the crowds in a ceremonial chair after the result is announced, with celebrations continuing into the evening.

It is thought that the folk ritual dates back to the 18th century, though the role of the ‘mock mayor’ holds no official powers.

Mock mayors used to be a widespread custom in the country but Abingdon is one of only a few to have kept it alive for hundreds of years.

Candidates from the Morris side can put themselves forward for votes, and anyone who lives or works in Ock Street can cast a vote.

The parade doubles up as a day-long festival of dance and is led by someone carrying the ‘horns of Ock Street’, the emblem of the Morris side.

The carving is engraved with the date ‘1700’, the year when - so legend claims - an ox was roasted in Market Place following a celebration, and two men fought for possession of its horns.

Abingdon resident Becca Collacott‎, a member of the Oxford Mail’s Camera Club, posted colourful images from the event on the club’s Facebook page.

This week we have challenged our Camera Club photographers to submit images based on the theme ‘flower power’, as embodied here by the vibrant blooms adorning dancers’ hats.