This year marks the final time that St Keverne Ox Roast will be held on a Wednesday before it moves to the weekend for its 60th anniversary.

Traditionally the event is held on the first Wednesday of August, as historically this was 'half day closing' in Helston and St Keverne, giving the butchers the opportunity to take part and carve the ox.

However, due to local feedback, organisers have taken the decision that from next year Ox Roast will be held on a Saturday, with the first in the new format booked for August 1, 2020.

Alan Retallack, from the St Keverne Band organising committee, said: "It's come from a lot of requests from local people who find it difficult to get the day off during the week and want to have a few drinks in the evening, but they have to work the next day."

The annual event is St Keverne Band's main fundraiser and includes the auctioning of the first slice of ox.

Next Wednesday, August 7, marks the final event to be held in the traditional slot and organisers are hoping for strong local support.

The fire will be lit in the square at 8am, with the ox going on at 9am. Entertainment begins at 1pm, with Punch and Judy, the Cadgwith Singers and St Keverne Band performing throughout the afternoon and into the evening.

There will be a parade of butchers at around 2.30pm, leading up to the opening ceremony, with Phyllis Ely this year's guest of honour.

This will be followed at 3pm by the auction of the first slice of ox, led by auctioneer Philip Care.

During the afternoon the band will be introducing a new activity that they first came across while performing in Ireland: peg racing. People will be challenged to hang as many pegs on a washing line as they can in a set time, with a trophy for the winner.

Colin Savage from the White Hart also hopes to have a number of traction engines and vintage vehicles on display, and there will be a range of stalls. There are still some spaces available to book by calling Roy Jackson on 01326 280889.

He would also like to hear from anyone able to help out on the day with the stalls and road closures, as the band is short of volunteers this year.

This year, for the first time, the two pubs in the village, the Three Tuns and the White Hart, have joined together to provide evening entertainment outside, once St Keverne Band finishes playing at 9pm.

Immediately after they finish, one of Cornwall's most established bands High Voltage will take to the stage for a two-hour set, playing classic and modern rock covers until 11pm.

It will be a homecoming gig for member Mark Bosustow, who grew up in St Keverne and will be bringing the band fresh from another performance at Helstonbury.