A COLOURFUL carpet of chalk pictures was created on the pavements of Headington.

Youngsters visited part of London Road to cover it with their chalk drawings for an art display called the Big Chalk.

The event on Saturday was organised by local artist Jean Wykes as part of the national Big Draw initiative.

Ms Wykes said: "It was a very happy event with lots of families all chalking together.

"By the end of the day the London Road was almost transformed into a colourful magic carpet of chalked pictures.

"People gathered outside the Cancer Research shop where there was a cake sale - which got lots more footfall once people came along to chalk.

"It was a very successful day for community art, blessed by warm September sunshine."

The theme for this year’s Big Draw was STEAM, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths.

Ms Wykes added: "Art is very often regarded as unimportant but everything starts as an idea, a doodle or a drawing until it eventually becomes an aeroplane, a train, a power station.

"The Big Draw is trying to emphasise the importance of art, drawing and creativity.

"With all the problems of the 21st century perhaps we need to stimulate art and creativity even more to achieve resolutions to worldwide problems."

Paul Harper, 34, who lives in Headington, was at the Big Chalk with daughter May, three.

He added: "We popped out to Waitrose and saw lots of people drawing on the pavement so we thought we would give it a try.

"There were lots of people down there chalking - it was very popular - and May enjoyed drawing a boat.

"On the way home we bought some seafood from the back of a van as there was a market going on at the same time."