Traders in Oxford's High Street are inviting shoppers to take part in a special pre-Christmas celebration.

The event takes place outside the University Church of St Mary the Virgin on Thursday, December 5, at 5.30pm, when traders will offer mince pies and other free food for shoppers.

The Jubilee Brass Band will be performing, and children from the Sparkle Stage Set will sing traditional carols.

The event is being organised by the Oxford High Street Business Association.

Spokesman Graham Jones said: "We hope this will encourage people to come along.

"They can do some shopping beforehand and enjoy the festivities, and perhaps go to a restaurant or wine bar. The High Street is the longest street in Oxford and also contains a large number of shops, but some people don't venture all the way down it, so we want to show people what they are missing."

If it rains, the event will be held inside the church.

Lights on the old almond tree outside the church will be switched on, and there will also be signed copies available of the new Landmark Guide to Oxford by local author Farrol Kahn.

Thursday is traditionally late-night shopping night in Oxford, and other shops in the city centre will also be open after 5.30pm.

Earlier this year, High Street traders complained that the Oxford Transport Strategy ban on ordinary traffic during the day was harming trade.