People in Oxford are being urged to use two wheels instead of four to get around on Thursday for Car-Free Day.

The annual event aims to promote the advantages of travelling by foot, bus, bike or even skateboard, and raises awareness about pollution.

John Tanner, the city council's executive member for the environment, said: "We are throwing down the gauntlet and challenging everybody in Oxford to leave their cars at home.

"The idea is to see if we can do without our cars for one day a year to help the environment, improve our health and save a bit of money."

The city's Lord Mayor, Bob Price, and Mr Tanner will kickstart the event with a bike rally in Broad Street -- which will be closed to cars for the day -- at 8.15am.

Cycling campaign group Cyclox, the Oxford Pedestrians' Association and Oxford Bus Company will be among the organisations with stalls in Broad Street.

Mr Tanner said: "It is a challenge to see if we can reduce the number of vehicles on the road and get more people in by bus, walking or cycling. Who knows, people might even get to like it."

Cyclox chairman James Styring said anyone who could prove they had travelled into town without their car would be offered a free breakfast between 8.15am and 9am.

He said: "The event is less anti-car and more about trying to make the city centre a pleasant, liveable place for everybody.

"Oxford could be a much more attractive and civilised place to be if there were decent public spaces around."

Balloons and stickers promoting the event will be available at the city's Information Centre in Broad Street and city council offices.

The event coincides with European In Town Without My Car Day.

Last year more than 200 people got on their bikes in Oxford to celebrate Car-Free Day.