Supergrass, one of Oxford's best-loved bands, are returning to the city for two Christmas shows - three months after one of their members broke his back in a fall while he was sleepwalking.

The band, who grew up in Wheatley, will play at Oxford Town Hall on December 20 and 21.

The band had been due to play an opening show for the city's new Carling Academy in September, but were forced to cancel after bass player Mick Quinn suffered serious injuries after sleepwalking out of the first-floor window of a villa in the South of France.

The show, in front of 1,350 people, would have been their first in the city for many years.

Ticketholders, who were left bitterly disappointed by the cancellation, have been offered first choice for tickets to next month's shows. The hall will hold 700 people on each night. And fans have been snapping them up - with half the tickets for the two shows being sold in just over a day.

Mr Quinn, who suffered two broken vertebrae as well as a smashed heel, underwent surgery in Toulouse, and is expected to make a full recovery. It is not known whether he will join the rest of the band on stage, or whether his place will be taken by a special guest.

The show has been organised by promoter Alan Day, of East Oxford-based TCT Music. He said: "We're delighted Supergrass are playing the Town Hall.

"We wanted them to play somewhere different and special for their Christmas show, and this is the most picturesque venue in Oxford.

"People were gutted when the band cancelled their show at the Carling Academy, but we have made an effort to get in touch with those who bought tickets for it and a lot of fans have taken up the offer of tickets.

"It's always good to have Supergrass play Oxford. They're a real crowd-pleasing band."

He said the band would be playing classic and new songs.

Oxford Town Hall has previously hosted shows by singer songwriter Beth Orton and folk-rock band The Levellers. Thousands of pounds-worth of sound equipment and speakers will be installed for the shows.

Jane Lubbock, facilities manager for Oxford City Council, which runs the Town Hall, said: "We're absolutely thrilled that Supergrass have booked the town hall for two gigs. It shows that this is a great venue for concerts."