THE countdown to this year's Oxenhope Straw Race is nearly complete.

The event, which is now in its 41st year, will be staged on Sunday July 2, with the deadline for online entries expiring at 5pm on June 30.

Oxenhope Straw Race features teams of two, many in fancy dress, competing to lug a straw bale between the village's pubs, drinking beer on the way.

Teams begin at the Waggon and Horses pub, pick up their bale of straw at the Bay Horse Inn, before heading up to the finish at the Dog & Gun, one and a half miles up a hill, via Oxenhope Social Club, the Lamb Inn and the former Shoulder of Mutton.

People can visit strawrace.co.uk for more details.

A spokesman for the organisers said: "For those taking part in the race, the Keighley & Worth Valley railway is offering free travel on production of their race number.

"This means they can park in Keighley or anywhere along the K&WVR line and use the train. From Oxenhope Station there will be a free bus service to get competitors to the start at the Waggon and Horses.

"For those driving there's limited parking in the village, so we're encouraging folks to park near The Dog and Gun, which is the finish, and walk down to the start in the village."