'NEW BLOOD' is still needed to organise Oxford's biggest street party as the current chairman of the group behind the Cowley Road Carnival gets set to step downs in two days time.

Brian Trotman will finish his successful five year term as chairman of the board of trustees for festival organising charity Cowley Road Works on New Year's Eve.

He has overseen the parade grow to become fixed as one of the cultural highlights of the city's calendar.

The riot of colour and music is the flagship event of Cowley Road Works and last July hundreds of performers danced, sang, played music and performed spoken word on 34 stages, with 650 people in total involved.

The event generated more than £1million for the area, as well as attracting tens of thousands of revellers.

Mr Trotman said: "It is the right time to welcome new blood in to the organisation, someone with a fresh pair of eyes and the time, experience and motivation to take Cowley Road Works, to the next stage.”

The chartered accountant, is going out on a high, with Cowley Road Works this year awarded the Oxfordshire Business Award for Cultural Events and Tourism.

Anyone who has an interest in the arts, cultural events and creating stronger communities can go to cowleyroadworks.co.uk and download the recruitment pack or contact executive director Johannah Aynsley via director@cowleyroadworks.org.

The charity is also recruiting for a treasurer, as well as seeking business partners to help fund the carnival, which will this year be held on July 1.