Scores of Oxford trade unionists and political campaigners braved the bank holiday rain to stage their traditional May Day march and rally in Bonn Square.

The Oxford District Trades Union Council declared 'our world is not for sale' in welcoming such diverse groups as health and postal workers, students, firefighters, pensioners and members of the Oxford Pay Weighting Campaign who are seeking a £2,000 cost-of-living boost for all workers.

Also present were members of IPSO, the Israel-Palestine Socialist Solidarity Group in Oxfordshire, with their banners.

The main theme was defending public services, and two hospital workers from Wantage, Angela Rushton, a night duty auxiliary at the local community hospital, and Joy Whatley, the area representative of the Royal College of Nursing, spoke of the urgent need to recruit more staff to keep local hospitals operating.

Supporting them were Wantage mayor Jenny Hannaby and Jim Moley, who represents the town at town, district and county council level.

Mrs Hannaby said: "We have to show solidarity for our nurses who have spoken about the need to get more staff in local hospitals to boost morale.

"These hospitals may not now face closure, but we're taking it as a reprieve, and it's a vital major issue to retain staff."