THOUSANDS are expected to cram into Beaconsfield Old Town on Monday for the town’s annual Country Fayre and stretcher race.

The latest addition to the programme are a jazz band called Phoenix, which is made up of doctors and surgeons who helped the victims of the Kings Cross fire in 1987.

Other attractions will include a classic car show, Harley Davidson bike parade, balloon race and trips up St Mary’s church tower.

But the main event will be the historic stretcher race at 2pm - with teams racing between Old Town pubs carrying a ‘casualty’. There is also a children’s stretcher race starting at 12 noon.

Since its launch the Fayre has regularly attracted more than 5,000 people, raising a total approaching £70,000 for local charities.

For more information on the stretcher race, including entry details, see related links.