A huge Christmas tree will be bringing some festive sparkle to Oxford's Broad Street thanks to the combined efforts of businesses and the city council.

The council has decided not to have a Christmas lights display in the city centre this year, but shoppers will be cheered by the 35ft Norway spruce from Bagley Wood, which will be installed in the first week of December.

A number of different businesses will be contributing towards the cost of electricity to light the tree in the centre of the street.

Cllr Jean Fooks, chairman of the city council's highways committee, said: "This is a wonderful example of co-operation between local businesses and the city council.

"It will bring some much-needed Christmas cheer to the city over the festive season."

While city councillors are waiting until next year to provide a lights display for shoppers, traders in the Covered Market have decided to go ahead with their own lights display.