High Street companies have been criticised for failing to support an Oxford community's festive street decorations.

Headington Business Association is trying to raise £5,000 to deck London Road with Christmas lights. It has collected only £1,500.

Jill Cummings, who is organising the display, said small traders have dug deep.

But major supermarkets, banks and stores, including Somerfield, Iceland, and Barclays, have not.

Mrs Cummings, co-owner of jewellers Time and Elegance, said: "Only 15 out of more than 100 shops and firms have donated money for the lights.

"Most people have ignored our pleas completely.

"It's amazing. It's not until you go out and talk to people that you find the small businesses are willing to help. But the big organisations won't. Larger companies don't have a community spirit, even though they profess to being community-minded.

"Headington is in danger of getting lost between the John Radcliffe Hospital and Oxford Brookes University, even though we should be prosperous because of them."

Headington Business Association also had no response from Stagecoach and the Oxford Bus Company, both of which were asked for a Christmas lights donation because their London buses travel through the area.

Mrs Cummings said: "We don't want people just passing through on their way to and from London. We want to light up the gateway into Oxford."

George Fair, Stagecoach's operational manager, said he was not aware that the company had been approached.

He said: "We already provide a lot for Headington anyway. Our 12-minute London service travels to and from the area, bringing in business and workers."