A JESUS look-alike carried a cross through a village near Abingdon this weekend, to mark Good Friday.

Andrew Gould led a group of followers through Drayton to a well earned helping of hot cross buns at St Peter's Church.

Oxford Mail:

The 37-year-old, who does gardening and bar work, then had to ditch his robe, thorn crown and fake blood to rush off to work behind the bar.

The Drayton local said: "The weather came out, that was nice.

"The whole thing was a bit of a surreal experience for me but it was great - nice to see some old faces from the village too."

Oxford Mail:

Explaining how the unusual morning came about, he added: "Someone approached me in one of the pubs."

That someone was Janet Strong, who also made the robe for the event, which has been running for '30 or 40 years' - but never with a look-alike Jesus.

Mr Gould said the robe 'fitted perfectly' but admitted the head gear was a 'bit uncomfortable'.

Oxford Mail:

Mrs Strong said: "It was my idea to dress him up this year and it was over a conversation in the pub - I just happened to look at his face. He agreed, kept his word and has been growing his hair ever since.

"He thoroughly enjoyed it - everybody did."

But, she added, there was more to the procession than met the eye.

Oxford Mail:

She continued: "He looked like a muscle man but really we made the cross very light."

The Abingdon band played hymns and there was a period of reflection during the procession's walk, which took in the village green and began at the Baptist Church.