A RECORD 21,000-strong crowd braved the early morning to join Oxford's annual May Morning celebrations today.

Organisers said the unprecedented number was down to the event being held on a Sunday, and the warm weather.

Visitors began to gather outside Magdalen College from as early as 5am to secure a place to see the college choir belt out Hymnus Eucharisticus as dawn broke over the city.

Afterwards it was the turn of morris, folk and even samba dancers to take to the streets and entertain passers-by.

The party atmosphere was helped by the spring-like sunny weather - and a ready supply of drinks from cafes and pubs, which opened early for the occasion. 

For many students watching on, today was the first time they had been able to experience the annual tradition up close.

American masters student Nick Ingle, who studies at Oxford University, said: "Today was so much fun. I had only seen it on television before.

"The weather was so nice as well. It has been a perfect day."

Another first-time student, Australian-born Bella Charlwood, was waiting in the crowd with friends Imogen Deutscher, Molly Fisher and Jack Forest.

Ms Charlwood said: "It's our first time but we have heard the whole thing is amazing.

"We heard the weather would be good too so we wanted to come and see it."

The hymn, composed in the 17th century by Oxford University music teacher Benjamin Rogers, was proceeded by a 20-minute peel of bells.

As the crowds dispersed from High Street, Brazilian dance act Sol Samba set off from Longwall Street in a procession along the road, while morris dance groups started on High Street and danced their way to Radcliffe Square, Broad Street and St Giles.

Friends Chris Hancock and Ben Bradshaw, both Oxford University students, chose carnival masks as their theme for this year's celebrations, having previously worn military clothing for the event.

Mr Bradshaw said: "This is just one of these great events that people keep coming back to year after year.

"It doesn't matter who you are or where you're from, people from all walks of life come here to watch this."

Providing a folk element to proceedings was song and dance group Whirlers, who have performed on May Morning for nearly 20 years.

Starting out as a team of jugglers, the group, which this year performed in the shadow of the Sheldonian Theatre, now aims to get audience members involved by dancing along to their music.

Oxford City Council estimated that about 25,000 people were outside Magdalen College at 6am - which they said was a record.

Security officers and barriers deterred anyone from jumping off Magdalen Bridge into the shallow River Cherwell, has has hapened on some occasions.

City council events officer Rachel Capell said: "The event has gone wonderfully well and there was a real family atmosphere.

"When the choir starts it is really magical to listen to.

"The weather has been good but we know from previous years that even if it is raining people will still turn up."