The Abingdon Marathon ended in controversy today when organisers disqualified the winner because he failed to officially enter the race.

Colin Paton, 33, from the British Army's Athletic Association, was first home in two hours, 34 minutes and 41 seconds, knocking six minutes off his winning time last year of two hours, 40 minutes and 13 seconds.

The physical training instructor with the First Battalion Irish Guards thought he had made it two in a row in the marathon now rated third best in the country by Runner's World magazine.

When Mr Povey decided not to run with just a few days to go before the race, Mr Paton took over his race number, but failed to notify organisers before the 26-mile run around Abingdon and surrounding villages began.

But organisers of the race, now in its 24th year, decided to disqualify him because he was wearing race number 886, originally allocated to fellow soldier Carl Povey.

After Mr Paton was disqualified, first place was awarded to Trevor Hunter, who finished second out of 1,100 entries, and 750 runners on the day.

See Monday's Oxford Mail for the full story and our marathon picture special.