Oxfordshire news: Week in review

BBC News Online looks back at some of the stories making the headlines in Oxfordshire over the past week.

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Annual Thames swan count begins

The annual medieval tradition of counting the number of swans on the River Thames has taken place.

The ancient ceremony dates back to when swans were a banquet delicacy

The Swan Upping tradition involves rowing skiffs from Sunbury, through Berkshire to Abingdon in Oxfordshire.

The swans and cygnets are weighed and ringed and each animal is checked for signs of injury and disease.

The ceremony dates from the 12th Century when the Crown claimed all unowned mute swans in Britain to ensure a ready supply for banquets and feasts.

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Modern Godiva rides through city

Early risers were met by an unexpected sight as a young woman rode "naked" on a white horse through Oxford city centre on Monday morning.

Ms Thomas rode over Magdalen Bridge in front of 100 extras

Phoebe Thomas, 23, was taking part in a comedy film production - a modern re-telling of the Lady Godiva legend.

The wife of an 11th Century earl is said to have ridden naked through Coventry in protest against her husband's harsh taxation of his people.

Her modesty was, according to the legend, preserved only by her hair.

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Ofwat planning Thames Water fine

UK water regulator Ofwat is planning to fine Thames Water for failing to meet adequate levels of customer service.

Ofwat has the power to fine Thames Water as much as £140m after the firm alerted it to the problems in January.

Ofwat said that it would allow accountancy firm Ernst and Young to complete an independent review before deciding upon the level of the fine.

Meanwhile, Southern Water is to be investigated by the Serious Fraud Office for misleading the regulator.

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Road reopens after Harrier crash

A road which was closed after a Harrier fighter jet crashed nearby is to reopen after aviation experts spent a week examining the scene.

The wreckage was left at the scene for several days

The RAF Harrier GR9 came down near Sturdy's Castle Pub, Tackley, in Oxfordshire, on 13 July.

The pilot managed to eject seconds before the plane exploded in flames near the A4260.

Air accident investigators spent days examining the wreckage in an attempt to find the cause of the crash.

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British Gas criticised over death

British Gas may face criminal charges after a woman died from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by a faulty boiler.

Angela Pinkney, 35, of Littlemore, Oxford, was so worried about her boiler she called out engineers several times, including on the day before she died.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said it was investigating whether there was scope for bringing criminal charges under health and safety legislation.

On Thursday, an inquest jury returned a verdict of death by misadventure.