MECHANICAL robots, futuristic gadgets and gigantic machines could all drift through the heart of East Oxford when a summer bonanza returns this year.

Organisers of the annual extravaganza Cowley Road Carnival have announced merrymakers will be left amazed by this year's showstopping Industry and Technology theme.

The very best of the county's technological wizards are set to flaunt their innovative creations when tens of thousands line the streets during the popular parade.

It comes as Oxford Brookes University has vowed to back the celebrations for another year, but the value of its sponsorship deal has not been revealed.

Johannah Aynsley, executive director of Cowley Road Works which is the team behind the festivities, said: "This year's carnival theme is celebrating the great industries and technologies from the city and county. We are home to a truly impressive landscape of innovation and industry and this will be the inspiration behind this year’s carnival and procession.

"It's just good to let the community know what's on their doorstep and give these companies a platform. I'm expecting some serious height. Some sort of mechanical movement and some thought about performance."

Revellers are expected to swarm Cowley Road and its nearby streets when the summer fiesta returns to the city on July 2 - with organisers hoping to attract about 50,000 merrymakers.

Foundation students at Oxford Brookes University's school of the built environment are getting stuck in a with a carnival-related project, working with organisers to develop relations between traders, pubs and clubs.

Miss Aynsley said: "Oxford Brookes University clearly cares about the community that we all live in and, with one third of Oxford's population attending the event, it is really keen to be involved.

"It is one of the key organisations in the city working with young innovators and nurturing fresh new business minds. We are really pleased to announce that the university will be celebrating the theme in its own sponsored zone at carnival and bringing some excellent examples of exciting technological creations from robots to racing cars."

More than 800 people representing 37 groups from across the county paraded along Cowley Road in a rainbow of colours during last year's beaming street parade.

Pro vice-chancellor Paul Inman said the university was 'proud' to back the magnificent festivities, describing the carnival as an important cultural event for Oxford.

He added: "Cowley Road Carnival and the East Oxford community are so important to Oxford Brookes University. The carnival allows us to remain connected with local neighbours face-to-face and celebrate what our vibrant community has to offer.

"This year’s theme is one we can relate to. Strong links with business and industry are vital to our students’ success. These links refresh the currency of our teaching staff and ensure that leading experts continue to shape our highly vocational programmes."