This year's Leys Festival will feature a football coaching session, a music and dance stage and a 'speakers corner' as well as much more.

The free community event will return on July 28 at Blackbird Leys Park from 12pm to 7pm.

More than 60 residents and community organisers from Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys teamed up with a small group from Oxford University’s Cultural Programme to organise the event.

There will be a range of activities on offer including the football coaching session run by members of Oxford United's coaching staff.

The music and dance stage will showcase local talent while the speakers corner will invite people to speak or to share a poem.

Meanwhile, a memory garden will offer the chance to share stories about people who have made a positive contribution to the Leys.

There will also be a selection of food stalls serving meals throughout the day, cooked by residents and showcasing the diverse cultures and heritage of the Leys, and available for £5 or under.

Traditional games such as tug-of-war, an inclusive rounders tournament, and roller-skating classes, along with face-painting and craft activities, will also feature.

Organisers have made an effort to cater to everyone, with a bouncy castle and soft play area for smaller children and a quieter garden area close to the Bowls Club serving refreshments along with an opportunity for people to learn how to bowl.

Festival organisers are also calling for any donations of scrap fabric to create community bunting.

Millie Khisa, a resident and festival producer, said: "It has been wonderful to see so many people from the Leys and beyond come together week after week all excited about this celebration event."

Ewa Gluza, one of the organisers, added: "Over the many years since I started living in Blackbird Leys, I have always tried to build bridges between 'Town and Gown' through numerous projects.

"This year's Leys Festival is a significant step forward in promoting new collaboration between the Leys area community and the University of Oxford. I'm excited about the opportunity to help make a lasting positive impact in our district."

Meanwhile, Erica Whyman, creative lead for this year’s event, said: "It has been a privilege to work with so many brilliant residents of the Leys, who have opened my eyes to the rich cultural history and the amazing creative energy of this place.

"It has been inspiring to see how energetic and dedicated so many people are to serving their community and I hope this Festival is a chance to celebrate that."