Abingdon Marathon is back this year, after being called off last autumn.

Abingdon Amblers Athletics Club has announced the event will be held on Sunday, October 19.

The marathon, one of the biggest events in the town calendar, was due to celebrate its 25th birthday last year.

However, it was cancelled because of a lack of volunteers to help run the event.

This year, members from other local athletics clubs will be helping out.

Member David Berger said: "It would have been the 25th year last year.

"This has grown up from a very small marathon and a small club where it got to such a size we couldn't cope with it on our own.

"Last year was a bit of a wake-up call for everyone, but this year we've got together with people from other clubs, who have taken on key roles, so we should be okay."

Sandy Lovatt, who is secretary of Oxfordshire's Federation of Small Businesses and lives in Abingdon, welcomed the news.

He said: "Anything that will attract people into Abingdon town centre will be very good for businesses.

"Abingdon's main issue at the moment is low footfall and the lack of customers for shops and businesses.

"Such an event is the sort of thing we need to do to make Abingdon attractive again."

Wajciech Majka, who runs the Broad Face pub, in Bridge Street, hoped the event would draw in more business.

He said: "I think whatever brings people to Abingdon is brilliant, as it needs people now, especially with the problems with the traffic system.

"I guess it will be good for the pub trade and so it will be brilliant for every one of us."

Mayor Lorraine Oates called the event "the feather in Abingdon's cap".

She said: "I think it's brilliant that it's coming back this year. It was a great shame we couldn't have it last year.

"It's very highly-rated and everybody has such a great time."

A new route is planned and a sponsor is on board, but details have not yet been revealed.

For more information, see the club's website at www.abingdonamblers.co.uk