THE OXFORDSHIRE sport of bun throwing has four new "world champions" after a Bank Holiday Monday competition in Abingdon.

A whopping throw of 156ft 4ins secured the senior men's title for Duncan Au, whilst Christina Van Coillie took home the senior women's trophy.

Rebecca Rogers and Josh Hermon were crowned junior women's and men's champions respectively.

The event at Abingdon Vale Cricket Club yesterday also raised hundreds of pounds for charity.

Mr Au, from Bristol, said he was delighted with his victory.

The 31-year-old said: "I am just visiting for the weekend for the Common People festival in Oxford – I saw the signs and thought I would come along to give it a go.

"It is a fantastic tradition so I thought I should take part.

"I used to throw javelin but this is the biggest trophy I have ever won."

More than 380 buns were sold for £1 each and the money will go to mental health charity Oxfordshire Mind and Little Troopers, which helps the children of armed forces personnel when their parents are serving overseas.

The cricket club has also made a donation to the charities.

Mayor of Abingdon Alice Badcock said: "It has been really good, it will raise a lot of money for charity.

"I kept turning around and there were queues of people just snaking along waiting to have a go.

"It is a great thing to do because not everyone often has the chance to take part in the annual bun throwing event, even though it is something which is a part of Abingdon tradition.

"If you grew up in the town this is a great opportunity to have a go at bun throwing."

The top two men and women from Abingdon have been selected to take part in this year's Royal Bun Throw which will take place in the town centre on Saturday, June 11.

Abingdon residents Tim Chilvers and Matt Darling will join Selina Wallace and Cat Page for the event in honour of the Queen's 90th birthday as they threw the top distances of all entrants who live inside the town boundaries.

Dozens of youngsters also tried their hand at the centuries-old tradition yesterday including six-year-old Felix Schmidt.

The Abingdon lad secured a distance of 41ft.

He said: "It is the first time I have done it.

"It was brilliant."

Mum Katharine said: "He had a great time once I persuaded him to go for it.

"His 41ft throw was great, he beat me- I only managed 37ft.

"We just popped over because it looked great and we thought we should give it a go."