Christmas shoppers in Oxford will be able to enjoy a show of Christmas lights this year.

Liberal Democrat councillor Jackie Gray, vice-chairman of the city centre management committee, said the council had agreed to spend £69,000 over a period of three years on a set of lights, provided by Gala.

Traders are expected to provide another £10,000 to improve the display further and Cllr Gray said about £7,000 had been raised already.

Last year, a cash crisis forced the city council to abandon the traditional Christmas lights display in the city centre. Only Covered Market traders made the effort to brighten up their businesses.

Cllr Gray said: "We think it is very important to have a display of Christmas lights in a city the size of Oxford.

"Part of the problem was that the old set of lights were looking very ragged.

"We are confident we will be able to provide a good display for the public this year, and what is on show will be added to on a year-on-year basis."

Lights will be displayed in Cornmarket Street, which is being repaved in a £2.2m programme, funded by the city and county councils.

Christmas lights will also be put in Queen Street, High Street, Market Street, George Street, and St Aldate's. A large Christmas tree will also be the centrepiece of the Broad Street display.

The switch-on ceremony is expected to take place on November 29 and a celebrity, to be announced next week, will perform the ceremony with the Lord Mayor, Cllr Peter Moss.

Roger Curtis, office manager of Boswell's in Cornmarket Street, said: "Anything is better than nothing. I hope the lights display is good this year.

"I come from Leicester and the lights rival Blackpool illuminations. That is what the council should aspire to."