Preparations for this year's Bicester Carnival are under way -- with plans to decorate the town with giant flowers.

Emily Illingworth, from St Edburg's School, makes an extra large flower

More than 20 teachers and nursery teachers, including Emily Illingworth from St Edburg's School, learned how to make extra-large flowers and bright costumes from recycled materials, which will take pride of place in the procession.

The arts training day was hosted by Other World Arts, a London-based scrap art company, and organised by Bicester Town Council and Cherwell District Council, with funding from Southern Arts.

The aim of the day was for teachers to learn how to make flowers and sculptures then take their new-found skills, and flowers, back to school to pass on to children taking part in the July procession.

St Edburg's is the main school taking part, but pupils from Brookside and Cooper Schools are also due to be involved, as well as numerous community groups, including the Brownies and St John's Ambulance.

Anna Francis, Bicester arts officer, said: "There is a cross section of the community -- with young and old taking part."