THE smell of mince pies is in the air around Oxford's Botley Road, as residents prepare for a Christmas market of handmade goods.

More than 20 Oxfordshire artists and craftspeople will be exhibiting their beautifully made goods and products at the West Oxford Community Association's annual market this Saturday and Sunday.

The West Oxford Community Centre, in Botley Road, will be transformed into a winter wonderland with wreaths, fairy lights, olive trees borrowed from Tuscan Pots in Botley Road and artwork hanging from the walls.

Deborah Williams, one of the exhibitors at the market, said: "We are really getting into the Christmas spirit now

"We have had a beautiful Christmas sign made to make sure everyone knows where we are at the weekend.

"This is a real community event and we hope we can get as many people coming as possible.

"Everyone has pulled together, so it has been a proper team effort."

After perusing the stalls, visitors can refresh themselves at the community centre's Tumbling Bay cafe, with hot food and drinks.

The event is part of the new Oxfordshire Artweeks' Christmas season, which has been designed to give Artweeks members who registered for its May exhibitions the chance to promote November and December shows.

Organisers of Oxfordshire Artweeks hope artists will be able to build recognition and sell their work for gifts.

The market will run from 11am to 6pm on Saturday and 11am to 4pm on Sunday.

For more information about Oxfordshire Artweeks visit artweeks.org or contact 01865 865596.