Mothers of children with Down's syndrome have organised a fun day aimed at improving awareness of the condition.

The parents - all volunteers with charity Down's Syndrome Oxford - have organised the first Big Step Forward event in the city.

They hope as many people as possible will take part in a 3km sponsored fun run in the city's South Park, on Sunday, June 8.

Other attractions will include a stress-busting tent for parents, a magician, a circus skills workshop and clay modelling.

Emily Robinson, whose 17-month-old daughter Lucy has Down's, said: "Being the mother of a child with Down's syndrome is very much like being the mother of any other child.

"Children with Down's syndrome can do everything anyone else does - they will just do it at their own pace.

"They may share the same physical characteristics but every child with Down's syndrome is as individual and as different as every other child."

Mrs Robinson hopes the day will challenge several misconceptions about Down's.

One in 1,000 children is born with Down's Syndrome - a chromosomal condition associated with learning difficulties and poor muscle tone in infancy, she said.

Down's Syndrome Oxford helps 150 people with the condition and their families.

Katie Bain-Collins, from Yarnton Road, Kidlington, said one of the main reasons for getting the syndrome in the public eye was that more children with the condition were being educated in mainstream schools.

Mrs Bain-Collins, whose two-year-old daughter Millie has Down's, said: "The event is going to be fabulous. To increase awareness helps raise the children's quality of life."

Up to 500 people are expected to attend the event, which will run from 10.30am to 3.30pm.

Mrs Robinson said: "It's a very worthwhile cause.

"Down's syndrome is part of who these people are, but it does not define who they are."

For more details of the fun run and information about Down's, see dsoxford.org.uk or call 08452 300372.