The day after Oxford rowed to boat race victory, 2,000 people flocked to Little Wittenham to see others claim their own glory on the river.

It may not have been the Hundred Acre Wood, but the crowds flocked to the village for this year's World Pooh Sticks Championships.

The 25th anniversary of the event was held at Day's Lock today, and about 800 people took part in a series of heats and team events.

Among those competing was Burcot family Debbie and Andy Pudwell and their children JJ, 13, and Daisy, 12.

The family first took part in 2004 - and their team of four came second two years running.

Mrs Pudwell said: "We are hoping it will be the year we win - we want a gold medal this time!"

Pooh Sticks, created by author AA Milne with his son Christopher Robin, involves dropping sticks over the side of a bridge and seeing which is first to come out on the other side.

The event raises money for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and the Sinodun Rotary Club's charity funds.

Rotarian Dave Caswell said: "We have got teams here from the USA, a team from Pakistan, and competitors from Hong Kong, Australia and Kenya.

"Everybody asks the question about what the secret is, but I have never won so I can't tell them - but we have never had a repeat winner."

In the past contestants have been disqualified for throwing, rather than dropping, their sticks - but today the main aim was taking part rather than winning.

Dan Harris, 29, of North Oxford, was about to take part in round three of the contest after canoeing down to take part in the event from Culham.

He said: "It's really important to drop it directly down, that way it cuts through the air and you don't want any drag.

"It is the first time I have come but I have been meaning to for ages."

Julia Pennington, from East Hagbourne, brought her children Georgia, Alexander and Rob, to take part.

She said: "We love pooh sticks and play it on our stream so when we realised this was on our doorstep we had to come and join in."

And Michael Cook, and his two year old daughter Lily, visiting Oxford from Nottingham, decided to take the opportunity to try their hand.

He said: "We sent grandma to look for sticks."

The event raises around £1,500 for the two charities each year.