Rally mania hit Oxfordshire yesterday as thousands turned out for local stages of the Network Q Rally.

Residents in Charlbury and Woodstock feared huge traffic disruption as the national event stopped off at Cornbury Park and Blenheim Palace. About 8,000 spectators were at Cornbury, while an estimated 15,000 turned out at Blenheim.

Charlbury resident Ray Marshall said: he feared the worst but was "pleasantly surprised".

"The organisers delivered leaflets around the town telling us they had 20 pay booths for cars to get in - that's treble what they normally have.

"They didn't bring competitors in through the town either, so I don't think we can have anything to complain about."

Story date: Monday 22 November

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