A two-day workshop for teenagers on knife crime and gang culture is being held at a Cowley church this weekend.

The event, part of Word Fountain Christian Ministries' children and youth programme, will also tackle issues relating to drugs and teenage pregnancy.

It is the fourth such event the Hollow Way church has held, and about 200 children, teenagers and adults are expected. Pastor Dupe Adefala said: "This is our annual children and youth day and will be made up of informal discussions, with music, dance and drama."

It is the first time the church has decided to address such hard-hitting topics, with previous events handling issues such as making choices and their consequences.

Mrs Adefala said: "There have been a lot of press reports about children that have died in different parts of the country. We wanted to promote the positive values of youth and help them make informed decisions about the impact of this type of culture on their future, their families and society as a whole.

"Hopefully, we will have some positive outcomes but there may also be some issues we need to consider as a community."

She said the event was open to all children and young people in the community, and aimed at "educating and empowering" them against knife crime, gang culture, drugs and teenage pregnancy. The workshop starts tomorrow and runs through the weekend, with the first day aimed at youngsters aged 13 to 20.

Tomorrow's sessions include dance performances, work with youth gospel artists, songs, and a talk show.

Mrs Adefala said: "It is all part of addressing the issues.

"We do believe we can communicate with young people by different means, they love music and they love to dance so we will be using that to help us communicate with them."

Sunday's workshop will include younger children, but will be more of a celebration, with music, dance and drama. Parts of the event will be led by the church group Vessels of Honour, where older teenagers help mentor younger members of the community.

Guests of honour will include former Lord Mayor Jim Campbell, Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action director Alison Baxter and Horspath Road Area Residents' Association chairman Gus Bianchini. The event is free of charge.