ENGINES are already revving in anticipation of the return of Abingdon’s Oddballs Rally for the fourth time next month.

The scooter spectacle will attract thousands of petrol heads to the county, with many travelling from as far afield as Scotland and France.

The three-day charity festival, which will take place at Abingdon Rugby Club from August 10 to 12, was created in 2015 by Vince Wooloff after friend Ron Morgan died of cancer.

Last year 1,400 revellers raised £8,000 for the Teenage Cancer Trust, as well as another £1,000 for Scotty’s Little Soldiers, a bereavement charity for children who have lost military family members.

It marked the most successful rally yet, with £10,000 raised during the prior two festivals combined.

This year Mr Wooloff wants to do even better and is also hoping to encourage more local people to join the fun.

He said: “It’s great that there are so many people coming from far away but with tickets starting to run out I really want to get more people from Abingdon and Oxfordshire in general to come as it’s right on their doorstep.”

Mr Wooloff added: “The event itself is primarily a scooter rally, but we welcome anyone to the weekend: last year we had a big group of bike enthusiasts join us and they are back this year.”

Each Oddballs Rally is themed and this year festivalgoers will take to the high seas by donning pirates outfits, with prizes for the best dressed buccaneer.

There will also be an unusual sight for villagers on the Saturday, as hundreds of costumed riders head to Drayton and Sutton Courtenay.

Across the long weekend there will be music from eight live bands, the biggest being a performance from classic punk/psychobilly group King Kurt, who this year celebrate the 35th anniversary of their first album.

Other bands include The Corsairs, Millie Manders and The Shut Up, No Lip, Filthy Spectacular and Rotten Aces.

On the opening night of the festival there will be a celebration of disco and there will be DJs playing all vinyl records.

Games will include a chilli hot wings challenge plus space hopper racing, and there are also be a custom scooter contest with more than 20 trophies up for grabs, plus traders and food vendors.

A pair of raffles will give scooter fans the chance to win a customised Vespa scooter donated by RPM Scooters in Baydon and a customised Lambretta.

Tickets are £20. For more details about prices and timings, search Facebook for Oddballs Rally 2018.