IT may only be the start of spring, but there was the sound of summer in the air in East Oxford this week, as musicians treated passers-by to the flavours of Cowley Road Carnival.

Carnival stalwarts Sol Samba and Oxford Cuban band Ran Kan Kan brought some tropical flavour to the thoroughfare to celebrate the launch of fundraising for the July 2 party.

The Brazilian dance group and the brass band combine for a fundraising gig at the O2 Academy on April 27. Tickets cost £11.25 plus fee, from ticketweb.co.uk

Launched in its present incarnation in 2000, the carnival is Oxfordshire’s largest free event, but depends on donations and sponsorship from supporters.