THERE was a village spirit in the heart of the city of Oxford as crowds packed the streets of Jericho to enjoy a party in the sunshine.

The Jericho Street Fair has been held since the mid-1950s and is timed to mark the feast day of St Barnabas, the patron saint of the parish church.

But, in the past decade, the colourful floats and fancy dress of yesteryear have been replaced with a more genteel affair.

Jenny Mann, of Victor Street, secretary of the Jericho Community Association, said the fair in Canal Street was now more like a village fete – albeit with a bigger attendance.

More than 4,000 people were estimated to have come along to Saturday’s event.

She said: “The street fair has been going for years.

“There used to be a procession with floats and all sorts, but now it has turned into this sort of traditional village fete, which is lovely.”

Stalls laden with homemade cakes and endless pots of tea and coffee pitched up in Canal Street, alongside barbecues cooking burgers and sausages, as well as stands with Thai and Indian food.

Rachael Bellis, 26, of Summertown, said: “It’s been such good fun today.

“There really is quite a ‘villagey’ feel to the Street Fair, which is unusual when you consider you’re in a city.

“It’s nice to be able to recognise lots of faces as you’re walking around.”

Bric-a-brac stalls offered items from a few pence, next to those selling handcrafted candles, jewellery, and cards.

Irish and Morris dancers and a host of local bands entertained the crowds outside the Bookbinders Arms, on the corner of Canal Street and Victor Street, as they enjoyed a drink.

Revellers were also treated to a few songs by former Coronation Street star Denise Black, who played hairdresser Denise Osbourne.

She was fronting her band God Knows on a stage outside the St Barnabas Community Centre.

Tracey Heppell, who lives just off Canal Street, manages the cafe at the community centre and was running a stall selling tea and cakes.

She said: “All profits from the fair are ploughed back into the community centre.

“Today has been a real success. It’s just a shame we can’t get more stalls into the streets, because so many people wanted to come and help out.”