The Christmas rush in Oxford failed to take off on Saturday but trading picked up yesterday and traders said they were "quietly confident" of a good Christmas.

Many shoppers in Queen Street and Cornmarket Street on Saturday morning told the Oxford Mail they were surprised the streets and shops were not more full.

Most were impressed with the selection of shops the city centre had to offer, but were not so happy about parking charges.

Others said they preferred to travel to other cities and towns, such as Reading and Milton Keynes, to do the bulk of their Christmas shopping because there was more choice. Then they got their final items from Oxford.

Bill McCardle, of city centre management company OX1, said he had spoken to traders in the Covered Market, High Street, Broad Street, Cornmarket Street, and Queen Street to find out how busy they had been over the weekend.

He said: "On Saturday, trading was fair but Sunday was busier.

"There was no-one who said sales were going through the roof, but trade was steady and no-one said they were having a bad time either.

"The next five days will be crucial and although I am not predicting a massive rush, I think trading will remain steady.

"I spoke to all sorts of traders, from fashion retailers to butchers, and although none of them expected a record-breaking Christmas, they were quietly confident that they would have a reasonably good Christmas and make their budgets."

Staff at department store Boswell's, which has a toy department, and Boots, both in Cornmarket Street, were too busy to answer the phone yesterday when the Oxford Mail called.

Among the shoppers in the city over the weekend were Kathy Way, 28, of Minster Lovell, and her mother June Timms 52, of Brize Norton, who did most of their weekly shopping in Witney, but travelled to Oxford for more choice.

Both had almost finished their Christmas shopping.

Occupational therapist Mrs Way, who was looking after 21-month-old niece Charlotte, said: "I think the variety here is very good, although I prefer to come when there's something specific I need to get or at Christmas time, when I need to visit a selection of shops."

Her mother said: "I'm impressed with Oxford. It has pretty much everything you need, all within a close distance."