The chairman of Oxenhope Parish Council hit out at motorists who “abused” people marshalling the village’s annual Straw Race.

Councillor Neal Cameron, of Station Road, said he was outside his home on the day of the race and heard what the marshals had to contend with.

“I was amazed at the abuse,” he said. “I was particularly amazed to hear it from local residents who should have known the road would be closed because this was advertised weeks in advance.

“It happens at the same time every year and there were diversion signs up. Those volunteer marshals deserve medals. Some of what was being said to them was awful.”