Ten years ago a group of lads hit upon the idea of inviting around some friends to play a few tunes on a neighbour's farm.

The guys were in a band called Goldrush, and, much to their surprise, the idea took off. They called the festival Truck, because they used a flatbed truck for a stage, and charged fans a few quid to come and camp at Hill Farm, Steventon.

Before they knew were they were, they were staging one of the UK's favourite music festivals, pulling in 5,000 punters and laying on more than 150 bands, of the calibre of Futureheads and Editors.

For those sinking into depression at the dark evenings, rain and long wait for next summer's festie season, brothers Joe and Robin Bennett, the engine at the heart of the Truck machine, have thrown out a lifeline - a winter version of their July spectacular, for one night only. It's called UniTruck - because it takes place at Oxford Brookes University (no one could ever accuse Truck of a lack of logic!), and it's on Tuesday.

Among those appearing are cult Los Angeles psychedelic-rockers The Warlocks, and a clutch of bands who stormed it at this year's Truck - Blood Red Shoes, The People's Revolutionary Choir, local heroes Stornoway and Witches - and, of course, Goldrush.

And, explains organiser 'Sweet Lady' Genevieve Willis, it could be the start of something beautiful for Truckers everywhere: "The plan is to have UniTrucks all over the country. They could happen in Oxford every year - or even more than that.

"The Warlocks are a crazy band who bring with them that whole LA vibe. They are very rock 'n' roll and great fun. And as they were coming all the way to Oxford, we wanted to make the most of it."

Brookes' first brush with Truck was in July, when the festival held an emergency weekend-long benefit gig in its student union after the Steventon site was flooded. The venue coped admirably.

Genevieve adds: "Brookes really came through for us. They have been 110 per cent behind us. Now the whole place has also been revamped and is amazing."

The night will see two stages running consecutively - meaning no awkward gaps in the action. Then there will be DJ sets in the new mezzanine area - and, er, plastic farm animals and fake grass.

There will be animals, turf, stalls, candy floss, hot chestnuts and festival food - and everyone will be encouraged to wear their wellies.

"There will be a proper Truck vibe. All the bands are friends of Truck and most are acts which we really enjoyed at this year's Truck, especially Witches and Stornoway. Of course, there would be no Truck without Goldrush," she adds, before dropping a bombshell: "There are rumours going around that this could be one of the last Goldrush shows. It's going to be a historic night!"

UNITRUCK runs from 7pm to midnight on Tuesday. Tickets are £8 in advance, £10 on the door (£5/£7 NUS).