BELLBOYS, choirs and Christmas lights helped launch the festive season at the new train station in Bicester and its neighbouring designer outlet.

Bicester Village Station opened its doors on Monday and to start the Christmas countdown on Thursday a concierge service guided visitors through the new entrance and information hub.

Bellboys in their traditional red and gold outfits will be on hand in the run-up to Christmas.

The new station is part of the £320 million project to connect Oxford, Bicester and London Marylebone.

This included rebuilding the former Bicester Town station and building the new Oxford Parkway station.

Both stations were opened by the prime minister on Monday. They are expected to attract about 250,000 passengers over the next year.