QUIRKY costumes helped performers spread seasonal cheer as they helped keep a centuries-old tradition alive.

The Abingdon Mummers have been touring pubs in the area with their short traditional Christmas play – and raising cash for charity at the same time.

Dressed in costumes covered in strips of paper, the actors’ 15-minute play shows the changing of the seasons and is said to bring good luck to performers and audience.

Mumming is the performing of a ritual play which is based on the triumph of good over evil. The tradition is thought to be more than 1,000 years old.

The plays have been acted out across the country for centuries – with towns and villages often having their own unique story.

After the traditional Abingdon play was forgotten, the Abingdon Mummers now use the Sunningwell play, which was put down on paper in 1948.

The cast toured Milton, Steventon, Drayton and Abingdon pubs last week.

Actor Tony Legge said the play had been performed for hundreds of years.

He said: “I do not think it has changed at all.

“We all really enjoyed it and most of the audience did seem to as well. To be part of a tradition like this – it is really smashing.”

The group hopes to raise more than last year’s £1,000 for this year's charity the Abingdon Alzheimer’s Club.

The word ‘mummer’ is thought to come from the German mumme, meaning mask or masker.

Similar performances are taking place across the county over the next few days.

Headington Quarry Morris Dancers will be performing their Mummers’ Play on Monday.

They will start at the Crown and Thistle, in Old Road at 11.15am, before moving to The Chequers, in Headington Quarry, at 12.15pm, The Six Bells at 1pm, and The Masons’s Arms at 1.45pm.

Wantage Mummers will be performing their play, based on King Alfred, across the area on Boxing Day. They start at 10am in Faringdon’s Market Place, continuing at noon in Wantage Market Place and then 1pm at The Hatchet in Childrey.

Their collections last year raised £1,100 for Cancer Research.