The annual May Queen crowning at Long Wittenham will take place on Saturday - despite the demise of the village's Girls' Friendly Society (GFS), which organised the ceremony for nearly 90 years.

The worldwide Christian-based women's organisation GFS - now known as GFS Platform Young Women - had to close its Long Wittenham branch last year when the joint leaders Linda O'Driscoll and Joy Whitehead were no longer able to keep it going.

At the time, Mrs Whitehead said GFS had been a cornerstone of village life for generations. This included its responsibility for running the May Queen ceremony.

A group of parents were reluctant to see the village custom disappear. Twenty-two children will now take part in the ceremony at the Lower Cross, in the High Street, at 1pm on Saturday.

Philippa Fielding, one of the four mothers who have resurrected the ceremony, said: "We have repaired an old maypole and the girls have rehearsed dances which they will perform in the garden of the Plough Inn, following the crowning at the Lower Cross.

"As in past years, the May Queen will be chosen by the girls themselves. She will wear a traditional costume and have flower girls."

Last year, part of the ceremony was rained off. Arrangements have been made to hold the event in the village hall if the weather proves poor.