A THOUSAND balloons decorated Witney's streets as the community enjoyed the annual tradition of painting the town pink.

With National Breast Cancer Awareness starting this month, Saturday's celebrations in Witney were a fitting beginning to the charity's awareness appeal.

Witney in the Pink, held each year to raise funds for Abingdon-based charity Against Breast Cancer (ABC), saw the town centre adorned with vibrant window displays and residents, dressed up to the nines in pink.

But this is not the first time that Jeanne Chattoe, who runs Renaissance vintage clothes shop in Wesley Walk, has organised the event.

Now in its 17th year, Ms Chattoe said people in the town were always asking her for the date of the next event – the most colourful in the town's calendar.

She added: "I think we have hit a note with people's hearts. They care so much about it and always look forward to it.

"It was fantastic again this year. I love doing this because it not only raises money for a brilliant charity, it brings our community together.

"I spent about three hours on the Friday blowing up all the balloons to go out on the street, my shop was full of them.

"But that is what Witney in the Pink is all about, a bit of fun and coming together to support a worthy cause."

Ms Chattoe, who is the chair of trustees for ABC and has been raising money for the charity for more than 25 years, lost her sister to breast cancer and has beat the disease twice herself.

She added: "The generosity of this town just brings me to tears.

"Every single year they completely throw themselves into it and it is just wonderful."

During previous years the event has raised around £10,000 for the charity and Ms Chattoe hopes to be able to match it again this year.

Shoppers were treated to performances by Witney Town Band, Abingdon Choir, and a 'clubbercise' session, as well as cake sales.

However, the main event of the day was the announcement of the town's best dressed fundraiser and best decorated shop window.

Scooping the prize for best window was the Shake Shop.

Ms Chattoe, a judge for the competition, said: "What they did was amazing and they raised about £350."

The best dressed award went to the team at Chapters Hairdressers who sported pink spotted pyjamas.