A 'BICYCLES and Bloomers' workshop will mark the start of Oxford International Women's Festival on Saturday.

This year's theme is celebrating the centenary of the first British women winning the vote. Bloomers represented physical freedom for women during a time when their clothing was specifically designed to restrict their movements.

Artist Nicola Donovan will be helping people make bloomers and/or bike saddle covers in suffragette colours of violet, white and green, to participate in a bicycle ride through Oxford during the Cowley Road Carnival. The free workshop will be at Modern Art Oxford, Pembroke Street, from 10am to 4pm.