Shoppers and city workers munched free hamburgers and hot-dogs yesterday as Oxford churches began their re-enactment of the Bible's feeding of the 5,000.

More than 1,000 people took up the offer of free food barbecued by members of 13 of the city's churches.

Volunteers are pictured preparing the barbeque.

Over four lunchtimes, ending on May 10, the aim is to feed more than 5,000 passers-by.

The churches, which represent most Christian denominations, believe the event is a 21st-century version of what Jesus did with loaves and fishes.

Organiser John Chorlton, parish vicar of St Aldate's Church, said it was about reaching out to the community and becoming a "church without walls".

He added: "We had music, face-painting and drama. People just lined up in their hundreds and builders from a site across the road joined in."

A £7,000 budget was donated by church-goers, meaning more than 5,000 people can be fed at a cost of just over £1 a head.