BUSKERS were out on Cornmarket Street today campaigning against plans to introduce fines for musicians who don't follow council rules.

Jonny Walker, a busker from Leeds, led a protest by the Keep Streets Live campaign group which champions freedom for performers.

The council wants to introduce new measures under a Public Space Protection Order, which would see buskers fined £100 if they break the council's existing code of conduct.

Mr Walker said: "It's been a great day. We've had a lot of press coverage and a lot of musicians coming to join us.

"We're not going away. If they bring in these measures we will keep campaigning until they decide to drop them."

The code bans them from selling CDs, using street furniture, or busking within 50 metres of another performer.

It has existed for some years without any clear code of enforcement, but a PSPO would allow the council to fine people who did not follow them in specific areas.

Oxford City Council leader Bob Price said the aim of the code was to create a level playing field for all buskers.

The council is planning to include other powers in its PSPO, such as regulating street art and street drinking.

But it threw out plans to fine people for feeding pigeons and rough sleeping after a lot of public opposition earlier this week.