UP to 4,000 people are set to get together in June for the second annual Love Oxford - a celebration of church unity.

Last year's Love Oxford saw Broad street packed with Christians reaching for their sun cream as they worshipped God under the roasting summer sun.

Love Oxford is held to celebrate church unity and takes place near the Martyrs' Memorial, where Protestant church leaders Bishops Latimer and Ridley, were burned at the stake in October 1555 and Archbishop Cranmer in 1556.

The Rev Gordon Hickson, St Aldate's Church parish vicar, said: "Love Oxford 2006 had 50 churches co-operating of which 40 gave up their Sunday service to be there which was historic.

"Also historic was that after 450 years of division since the martyrs were killed, ministers of all denominations, including Catholics, were able to stand on the ground of that old wound and declare their commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder under the banner of the cross."

St Aldate's rector The Rev Charlie Cleverly added: "Many Christians in Oxford long to work together more, to pray together and to serve together in our city.

"We gather together thousands of worshippers in the city of Oxford not only to be one', but to be seen to be one."

Steve Jones, of Oxfordshire Community Church, based in the Kings Centre, Osney Mead, said: "In the last 30 years, Oxford has become a multi-cultural city, and the Christian church has also changed rapidly.

"Over 25 new congregations have been started, including some worshipping in Chinese, Punjabi, Swahili, Korean, Portuguese or Filipino.

"Love Oxford will bring together most of these new churches, as well as many churches that have been in Oxford for centuries. Together we want to bless the city."

The event was one of a series which included the fifth annual 5,000 Plus barbecue when burgers and hot dogs were handed out for free in Bonn Square and a social action day when young Christians carried out community work across the city.

The barbecue will not be happening this year due to renovation work being carried out in Bonn Square, but will return in 2008.