THIS year's May Morning celebration is likely to draw a larger crowd than usual to Magdalen Bridge, Oxford City Council has said.

The traditional event to mark the coming of spring has taken place on May 1 for more than 500 years and this year will fall on a Sunday.

It will be the first time the event has taken place on a weekend since 2011 meaning more people are expected to attend than normal, particularly if the weather is good.

Magdalen Bridge will be open to pedestrians but closed to traffic from 3am to allow crowds to gather to listen to the choristers of Magdalen College choir sing Hymnus Eucharisticus from the college's Great Tower at 6am.

Following the choir the college's bells will ring out across the city for about 20 minutes.

High Street will also be closed from The Plain to the junction with King Edward Street from 3am to 9am.

Longwall Street will be closed during the same period from the junction with High Street to south of the entrance of Magdalen College, as will Rose Lane, Queen's Lane at the junction with High Street and Merton Street at the junction with High Street.

City council corporate lead for culture and events Peter McQuitty said: "People should be aware that there will be a lot of people on Magdalen Bridge at 6am this year, so please make sure that you look after yourself and those around you."

Full details of bus diversions will be available on oxfordbus.co.uk and stagecoachbus.com