POP star George Michael will be commemorated with a song contest to celebrate his efforts to preserve an Oxfordshire beauty spot.

Campaigners who backed the Save Radley Lakes campaign organised the concert in memory of the late singer, who anonymously donated £10,000 to stop energy company RWE Npower dumping ash waste at the Thrupp Lake wildlife haven in Radley. His gift only came to light after the star died of heart disease on Christmas Day.

Abingdon resident Len Lambe is challenging people to write a song referring to the 2005 lakes campaign, to be performed at a summer contest that will raise money for charities including Parkinson's UK.

The 76-year-old said: "I thought it was absolutely magnificent when I found out about George. This is something to mark his generosity. It was an opportunity not to be missed.

"The songs need to be done in a way that's sympathetic to George Michael's style of music and make some reference to the lakes being saved."

Several villagers were keen to pay tribute with a plaque at Thrupp Lake, but land owners RWE snubbed the idea in January.

Mr Lambe has been planning the Radley Song Contest ever since, alongside Radley parish councillor Dee Kallie.

The pair plan to hold the event on June 25 at Radley Village Hall and sports field. It will be funded through their own sponsorship.

They will promote the celebration today with an official launch at the Victoria Arms in Old Marston, Oxford, featuring karaoke and a raffle with prizes including a giant teddy bear.

Father-of-three Mr Lambe said: "The pub does lots of music events and has given great support. People can just turn up and take part.

"I've had experience running a contest before. In the 1960s I organised a guitar competition. It took over my life and it's been engrained in my head ever since."

He is advertising the launch night with a pub banner featuring the Oxford Mail's front page 'Gotta Have Lakes', which broke the news of Mr Michael's donation – which was crucial in helping campaigners pay legal costs.

Karaoke starts at 8pm but participants are not obliged to enter for the Radley event.

Lower Radley resident Mr Kallie, 49, said: "This is a tribute to George Michael's most magnanimous donation and a celebration of his life."

Entrants can pick up forms at the launch night or email radleysongcontest@gmail.com for details.

They will be asked to send video clips of their song and judges will pick finalists to sing on the day.

Details of the June event have not yet been finalised but entry is expected to cost between £5-£10.