Thousands of masked and feathered revellers are set to descend on Oxford's Cowley Road on Sunday for the county's biggest annual event.

This year's masquerade-themed Cowley Road Carnival is expected to attract up to 35,000 people to line the streets to watch the procession and enjoy some of the city and county's best music and dance.

And this year organisers are asking carnival-goers to put their hands in their pockets and help secure the future of the colourful event.

Event organiser Ian Nolan said: "Collection buckets on the day raised barely £1,000 last year but we estimated people spent between £10 and £20 each at the carnival.

"We're asking everyone to give just £1 towards the carnival itself.

"If everyone did that, it would more than pay for the road closure next year - which our Arts Council grant won't fund."

A total of 33 groups - and hundreds of individuals - will be joining in the parade, starting at noon, which will feature everything from giant puppets of a Bengali tiger and skeleton, to dozens of children salsa-ing their way down the road.

The last preparations are taking place, with flags being created to tie to lampposts along the road and masquerade decorations being created for the three stages.

Mr Nolan said: "I want everyone to have a bit of colour and a little bit of masquerade, either wearing a mask or some feathers in their hair or a bit of glitter. We want people to come and enjoy the biggest celebration of diversity in Oxford and enjoy an event that is becoming renowned not just across the county but also across the region and even the country."

The carnival stages offer a typically eclectic line-up, with head- liners including Raggasaurus and Stornoway, and performers ranging from urban dance, to ballet, to capoeira.

There will also be stalls offering a huge range of different cuisines.

Among those looking forward to carnival day is Raggasaurus drummer James Bolton.

Mr Bolton, who lives off Cowley Road and has played at previous carnivals, said: "It should be excellent, I'm really looking forward to it.

"Cowley Road is such a good blend of cultures, it has got a really good vibe and it's a different side of Oxford. Everyone seems to really enjoy themselves."

And Juju, the singer from Little Fish, said: "We consider ourselves really lucky to be asked to be in the carnival and it is a privilege to be part of it."

The carnival runs between noon and 6pm, with an official aftershow party being held at the Regal club, in Cowley Road, which will go on until late, with entry costing £1 and proceeds going to next year's carnival.

For full details of the programme, see the carnival website.