Christmas illuminations for Oxford city centre have been given the go-ahead, after last year's failure to provide any festive lights.

The city council agreed to contribute £23,000 towards the cost of this years lights and about £10,000 is now being sought from the private sector.

Assistant city centre manager Sophie Lancaster said: "We now have a firm commitment of financial contributions and are looking for support from retailers and other organisations in the private sector."

At a special meeting of the City Centre Management Working Party,it was also confirmed that white Christmas bulbs with festive themes will adorn the city centre's main streets this year.

Councillors hope the display will add the Christmas sparkle that was missing last year and will do the city centre justice. Illuminations are planned for St Aldate's, Cornmarket, Market Street, Queen Street, High Street and George Street.

The city council chose not to provide any Christmas lights in the town centre last year. Lord Mayor, Cllr Maureen Christian, said she was devastated at missing out on her 'chance-of-a-lifetime' to switch on the Christmas lights and felt it was very sad for children in Oxford not to see the city illuminated.

After criticism of "weedy" efforts in 1999, traders also refused to fund the festive lights last year. However, there were lights in the Covered Market, after traders paid for their own, and in Headington, where shopowners and groups clubbed together to buy some.