Organisers of the annual Oxenhope Straw Race are on a mission to put bundles of fun back into the charity event.

Chairman Tim Sander says this year's race, on Sunday, July 6, will be a return to the boozy marathon's light-hearted roots.

"The emphasis this year will be on fancy dress and having fun as opposed to winning," said Tim.

"It was going the wrong way and our aim is to put the enjoyment back into it for Oxenhope and the surrounding area. Entrants can choose to be electronically timed, but people can come and start when they want."

The three-mile race, now in its 28th year, involves teams of two, often in outlandish fancy dress, carrying a bale of hay each between five pubs in Oxenhope and sinking a drink at each one.

Teams start at the Waggon and Horses and take in the Bay Horse, Oxenhope Social Club, the Lamb Inn and former site of the Shoulder of Mutton, before finishing at the Dog and Gun.

Another departure from previous years will be the lack of a theme for the race.

Since its launch the event has raised £250,000 for local charities, who submit requests for help. Beneficiaries last year included Oxenhope Under Fives, Manorlands hospice and Keighley Resource Centre.

Committee members are hoping for a bumper entry after two relatively fallow years.

The race was cancelled in 2001 due to the foot and mouth crisis and numbers were also down last year due to a clash with the World Cup final, which led to a late change of date.

Tim added: "We raised about £6,000 in sponsorship last year, which is well down on the £10-12,000 we usually pull in. The late change of date and rain certainly contributed to the greatly reduced numbers taking part.

"Entries for this year's event are coming in thick and fast, so its looking good for race day. We are all feeling confident that this will be the best event yet, raising lots of money for cash-strapped local charities." The omens for next month's race are good after organisers raised a record £500 during the annual collection in Morrison's, Keighley.

"This was a fantastic effort and just goes to show once again the generosity of the public," said Tim.

For full details of the Straw Race and how to enter, log on to the web site address at www.strawrace.co.uk

Entry and sponsorship forms can also be obtained by phoning Tim Sander on 01535 646236.