THOUSANDS got their Christmas shopping off to an environmentally friendly start with a visit to the annual Oxford Green Fair.

The fair celebrated its 31st anniversary as it was held over two days for the first time, throwing open its doors to hundreds of revellers at the Christmas Light Night celebrations on Friday and Saturday.

Visitors had a chance to learn about green technology while listening to festive music, stocking up on ethically made and fairly traded goods and tucking in to some locally sourced food.

The event is Oxford Green Party’s biggest annual fundraiser and upwards of 3,000 people were thought to have attended.

Organiser Sid Phelps said: “It’s been fantastic, it has exceeded our expectations.

“The atmosphere has been great, with a really good vibe and lots of music.”

Among the traders was Clare Drought, who was selling Zambian bags and has had a stall at the fair for the past six years.

She said: “There are lots of lovely stalls and lovely customers and I always do well here.

“It’s increasingly got better because they have expanded it, and it’s good for my Christmas shopping as well.”

Ben Ward was selling wooden arts and crafts at the fair for the third year.

He said: “The vibe was very good, it’s always nice at the green fair.

“I always see the same people every year.”