One of the Cotswolds' more unusual traditions returns this bank holiday.

The annual football in the river match takes place in Bourton on Monday, with two teams set to battle it out, ankle deep, in the River Windrush.

Bourton Rovers’ first team will take on the reserves in a 30-minute, five-a-side, clash, kicking off at 11:15am.

The club’s head of football, Jack Galpin, said: “The game is of massive importance to the club not just because of the tradition and history of the event but also due to the excellent publicity it gives us locally.

“It’s an event that you hear about and want to be part of and giving lads at the club a chance to play in it is so much fun.

“It brings the whole club together, the village support it and all in all it is just a brilliant way to showpiece the club locally and across the world.”

It is not clear how the idea of playing a football match in a river first arose, but the tradition has reportedly been going strong for around 100 years.

The match regularly draws large crowds and fans are advised to wear waterproofs if they plan to stand close to the side of the “pitch”.

Various events and games will be held at the club from 9am on Monday, giving visitors a chance to win prizes.

All the money raised will go to Bourton Rovers for ground development and further improvements.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: (Ben Birchall/PA)(Ben Birchall/PA)

Last year’s match saw hundreds of spectators line the banks of the river that runs through Bourton to enjoy the town’s unique tradition.

The 2021 match ended 1-1 after the clarets went 1-0 on the stroke of half-time

The blues levelled on the final whistle with a disputed penalty which resulted in a claret player receiving a red card.

Match organiser Matt Winter, who scored the opening goal, said at the time: “The game was good fun and there was a good crowd.

“The game was a bit wet but not too cold and the pitch was a bit uneven.”