Cropredy licensee Lin Newport became so fed up with customers talking about the annual Fairport Music Festival in the village that she decided to ban conversation about the event.

Regulars at the Brasenose Arms pub were fined if they said the words 'Fairport' or 'festival'.

The annual event, organised by folk rock veterans Fairport Convention, is highlight of the musical calendar for thousands of people.

This year, it attracted more than 20,000 people to the village on August 9, 10, and 11.

Lin said: "I took over the pub in January and all I heard about was the festival. It's a big event but it seemed to be the sole topic of conversation in the village so I decided to take action.

"Anyone who said either of the two banned words during the week after the event was fined 50p. The regulars took it all in good part. We had plenty of laughs as people were caught out."

The ban raised £50 for Children's Cancer Research.

**Picture: Keith Price