Many families are being priced out of a traditional Boxing Day event - because children will be charged for the first time.

That is the claim of Stuart Partlett, of Green Hill, Blackbird Leys, who will not be going to this year's festive meeting at Oxford Stadium for the first time in 11 years because of the new policy.

The greyhound racing fan, who has two daughters, aged 14 and 16, said: "There will be plenty of people like me who will not be able to afford it this year. There are no facilities for children there and they obviously can't bet, so why charge them?"

The popular event is always close to capacity each Boxing Day, with an estimated 1,300 attending last year. The stadium's new owner, the Greyhound Racing Association, is charging children and adults a £5 entry fee. Youngsters under 16 have got in free in the past.

Tickets have been selling fast for the Boxing Day event and the association said the decision has been taken partly because of the high demand.

Monique Audifferen, of the association, said extension work going on will affect the capacity and tickets were therefore more limited than normal.

She added: "It is not a policy against children.

"We have to take safety considerations into account."

Story date: Friday 10 December

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