Bathing Oxford's oldest building in light in a scheme to transform the city at night has received glowing praise.

At the flick of a switch on Sunday, St Michael at the Northgate Church in Cornmarket Street became the first building to be lit up in an ambitious plan to create "a cross of light" across Oxford.

Ian Laing, whose term as High Sheriff of Oxfordshire recently ended, is funding the scheme to introduce architectural lighting at historic buildings in the city centre.

And he led the switch-on celebrations attended by the Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, Hugo Brunner, and the Archdeacon of Oxford, the Ven Julian Hubbard.

Similar lighting is shortly to be introduced at St Mary Magdalen Church, in Magdalen Street, Exeter College Chapel in Turl Street and the Wesley Memorial Chapel, in St Michael's Street.

The Rev Hugh Lee, City Rector and Priest-in-charge at St Michael at the Northgate, said: "It looks absolutely marvellous. It makes our Saxon tower very visible."

After a short service of dedication, in which Father Richard Duffield, of St Aloysius Church took part, about 100 people gathered to witness the switch-on.

Maureen Christian, city council executive member for tourism and culture, said the lighting would make the city centre seem a safer as well as more attractive place.

Talks are under way between the city council and Oxford University about lighting up Radcliffe Square. Some of the medieval university buildings in High Street are also viewed as future candidates for lighting.