A VILLAGE community was left shocked after a woman was raped in a churchyard on the final night of its arts and culture festival.

Visitors packed into the Market Square for a rock concert marking the final night of the 13th eight-day Deddington Festival on Saturday.

However, less than an hour after the bands had finished playing a passer-by spotted a woman lying in the churchyard of St Peter and St Paul Church, in Church Street, at around 12.20am on Sunday.

The church’s vicar Reverend Annie Goldthorp said that the village had been shocked by the vicious attack on the 25-year-old woman, who was believed to have been visiting the village near Banbury for the concert.

She said: “We are all very distressed, we had just had the end of the Deddington Festival which is a big party occasion.

“The festival has been going for 13 years, people come from miles around go to it.

“It had been a lovely festival, it’s been great, but unfortunately it ended in tragedy with this girl being attack in the churchyard.

“As far as I know she is not a village girl.”

The eight-day festival which began on Friday, June 12, and offered a whole host of activities including a film workshop, jazz music, poetry, art exhibitions, comedy and a history walk, had ended with Deddy Rocks, a rock gig in the Market Square with four bands.

Police said a passer-by later spotted the woman in the grounds of the historic church - which dates back to the 13th century – and raised the alarm.

Superintendent Kath Lowe, LPA Commander for Cherwell and West Oxfordshire, said that extra patrols would be deployed in the sleepy village to reassure neighbours it was safe.

She added: “Today extra patrols will be in Deddington to reassure the local community after this distressing incident.

“I would like to thank everyone for their cooperation as the investigation continues and I would appeal for anyone who has any information to talk to officers in the village.”

Witnesses should call the police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.