Organisers of this year's St Giles Fair in Oxford have taken steps to ensure revellers suffering epilepsy do not have their condition triggered by flashing lights.

The city council has asked stallholders and ride operators to turn off all strobe lights and similar effects between 11am and 4pm on Tuesday. Epileptics can be badly affected by flashing lights.

Lighting will operate as normal on Monday, the opening day of the fair, which attracts thousands of people.

A city council spokesman said: "We hope that many people who suffer from illnesses such as epilepsy will be able to come along and enjoy the fun of the fair without the problems strobe lighting can cause."

The fair will be opened by the Lord Mayor, Peter Moss, who will switch on the Hebborn's Waltzer ride at 10.30am on Monday.

Cllr Moss will then be joined on a tour of the fair along St Giles by officers from the Showmen's Guild.

Alongside traditional rides such as the dodgems and helter skelter, there will be a 140ft big wheel and other big thrill rides.

**St Giles will be closed to traffic from midnight on Sunday until 8am on Wednesday.