One of Abingdon's famous bun throwing ceremonies will be the centrepiece of the Princess Royal's visit to the town on Friday as part of the 450th Royal Charter anniversary celebrations.

She will also visit Abingdon School, which is marking its 750th birthday.

But her visit means that all roads in the town centre will be closed to traffic from 11.30am until 1pm.

Princess Anne will watch as town councillors and Freemen hurl 450 currant buns from the top of County Hall into the Market Place. The Queen saw the event when she visited Abingdon in 1956, during the 400th Royal Charter celebrations.

Bun throwing began in 1760 to mark the coronation of King George III. Since then bun throws have been staged to mark special events.

Mayor of Abingdon Peter Green said: "The town is honoured to receive Her Royal Highness on such an important occasion. I invite members of the public to join with us to meet the Princess and participate in our celebratory bun throw. It promises to be a day to remember."

Princess Anne will arrive by helicopter from an event in Charlbury, and land at Abingdon School, where she will be greeted by the Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, Hugo Brunner, and headmaster Mark Turner.

She will see a new anniversary window in the school chapel and be invited to turn the first sod of an £8m sports complex being built at the school.

From the school, the Princess will be driven to the town centre where she will be greeted by the High Sheriff of Oxfordshire, Peter Bickmore.

She will also meet Oxfordshire County Council chairman Lesley Legge, Vale of White Horse District Council chairman Julie Mayhew-Archer, Oxford West and Abingdon MP Dr Evan Harris, the mayor and mayoress Peter and Hilary Green and the town clerk Nigel Warner.