LORD Mayor John Tanner is set to switch on Oxford's Christmas lights in Broad Street today.

A festive market and street performers have been booked for the showcase event, with the lights turned on at 6pm.

Oxford City Council said it had not approached any celebrities to switch on the lights because it felt it "would not add to the day of celebration".

From 10am to 7.10pm there will be musical events and a Christmas market that will feature wreath-making demonstrations, Christmas gifts and food from continental stalls.

A variety of stalls will offer Christmas fare, including roasted chestnuts, mulled wine, gourmet pies, hog roast, cheeses, jewellery and wooden toys.

And from 4pm, street performers are set to take to the street. The evening will conclude from 7.10pm with a performance by Heliosphere, when a giant illuminated balloon will float into Broad Street with an aerial performer suspended underneath.

A city council spokesman said: "An inspiring soundtrack accompanies the performance, making this the ideal finale to the festive event."

The event is costing the Town Hall £15,000.

Neighbouring towns and cities have boasted names from the world of sport and showbiz to help to kick-off the countdown to Christmas, but the city council said a star name would not add to their planned day of celebrations.

On Thursday, Bicester's Christmas lights were turned on by Antony Hansen, a finalist in the television show Any Dream Will Do. Adam Woodyatt, otherwise known as EastEnders' Ian Beale, is due to switch on festive lights in Banbury tomorrow, while next week former Oxford United footballer Peter Rhoades-Brown will appear in Abingdon.