THERE’S no outdoor pursuit more unusual than the World Pooh Sticks Championships, according to a quirkiest event award voted for by readers of Countryfile magazine.

The championships are played each spring at Days Lock, Little Wittenham, based on a game in AA Milne’s Winnie the Pooh stories.

Those taking part travel from all over the world to race marked sticks in the River Thames.

The Pooh Sticks championships are organised each year by the Rotary Club of Oxford Spires.

Event organiser Munro Watt, 45, from Cholsey, said: “We are delighted to be recognised in this way.

“It’s a nice accolade and it might boost the numbers we get next year. Usually about 1,500 people take part.”

It raises about £3,000 every year for charities.