Caffeine and charity come together again next weekend for Macmillan World’s Biggest Coffee Morning.

The annual event sees hundreds of community groups across Oxfordshire coming together to enjoy a cup of coffee and a slice of cake.

Last year saw more than 600 community groups and other organisations taking part in Oxfordshire, raising thousands of pounds for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Macmillan Oxfordshire fundraising manager Julian Knowles said the team wanted to raise at least £120,000 this year.

He said: “This is a fantastic event for anyone to get involved in because it’s so simple. We’re really grateful to all the hosts who have already signed up but we’re so close to reaching our target, we just need a few more people to get involved.”

He added: “If you can’t do it on Friday, September 30, just pick another day. If you’re not keen on coffee and would rather have cocktails or herbal tea, that’s fine as well.”

The official coffee morning is on Friday, but events go on throughout the weekend.

If the charity gets just 40 more hosts nationwide, it will officially be the biggest yet in the event’s 21-year history.

Mr Knowles said their aim was to get 766 coffee mornings in Oxfordshire alone.

Among those taking part are staff at Oxford Castle Unlocked, where visitors can enjoy a brew in the grounds of the former prison.

General manager Michael Speight said: “We’re really looking forward to holding our World’s Biggest Coffee Morning event.

“Fifty pence from every cup of coffee will go to Macmillan Cancer Support so we’re hoping to raise lots of money for the cause.”

Macmillan provides support for people living with cancer and campaigns for better care.

Also taking part are staff at the Hinksey Funeral Services in Botley, who said they would be “dragging in people off the street” to raise as much money as possible.

Funeral director Charlie Jarrett said: “At our morning, we’ll have chocolates, cakes, tea and coffee and, along with others, a prize draw to win a holiday for two.

“We unfortunately do an awful lot of work with people who have had cancer and find it hard to handle seeing people who have died of the disease, many of them too young.

“But as funeral directors we can’t show any emotion so it’s an absolute delight to help someone like Macmillan.”

He added: “We’ll be dragging people in and cajoling them in with sweets and cakes.”

Other events include one at Bonmarche in Oxford, the Fleece in Witney and at Banbury Town Hall.