OXFORDSHIRE Artweeks is in full swing after the sun shone on a colourful launch.

A circus parade and street band transformed Kennett Road, Headington into a cacophony of sound and colour to launch the month of creativity.

Jazz band Horns of Plenty marched through the street as hundreds of people danced and cheered.

The festival, now in its 31st year, features hundreds of free displays for three weeks across the county – in studios, city streets, gardens and villages.

Juggler Albie Henry, president of Oxford Brookes Circus, said: “It was great, the children were really excited and everyone seemed to have a lot of fun.

“We were really pleased to be asked to help out and were glad we could help kick Artweeks off.”

Carnival organiser Kathy Turner said event: “The atmosphere was wonderful and it seemed to be a huge success in getting the children involved as that was one of our main aims.

“We’ve never had anything like this in Headington before so it was great to see so much colour and music, and to see people enjoying themselves.”

Oxford Castle Unlocked also unveiled its Artweeks showpiece exhibit on Saturday featuring the work of seven amateur photographers from the Oxford Photographic Society.

“On Your Doorstep” includes landscapes, flora and wildlife from across Oxford.

Co-organiser Ivor Porter said: “Our exhibition aims to inspire people to give photography a go and discover just what is on their doorstep.

“It's incredible how many locations there are in Oxford and the surrounding areas that are easily and freely accessible for the public to explore and enjoy the natural wonders of these sites.”

The first week will take place in about 200 locations in the city followed by South Oxfordshire and North Oxfordshire in the second and third weeks respectively.

Artweeks events run until May 27.