Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service has alerted the public to the presence of firefighters in Oxford's High Street this evening. 

A simulated practice fire is being carried out at Oxford University College throughout the evening. 

The firefighters will be on scene from 6.30pm to 10pm as part of this exercise. 

A statement from the fire service said: "WM Clifford would like to thank Oxford College University for the opportunity to carry out this exercise and put into practice life saving skills in complexed old buildings but also joint working with on site to staff which is essential to help bring incidents like these to a close."

Four fire crews from across the county will respond to the simulated fire that will involve cosmetic smoke.

The fire service has reassured members of the public that this is a training exercise and there is no need for people passing by to "panic or worry".

Domestic Bursar Angela Unsworth said, "University college is very pleased to be able to work so closely with the Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service in training for an incident like a major fire in college premises.

"It is something that we plan very carefully for given our very old, listed buildings. We go to significant lengths to ensure that they are safe and compliant with all current regulations, and we test our procedures regularly.

"The fire and rescue service get remarkably little opportunity to train their own personnel in scenarios which involve real and complex environments like an Oxford college, so to collaborate in such an exercise allows us to understand better how we would successfully work together if any incident did arise."