A FEAST of Southeast Asian culture took over Oxford Town Hall this week as locals met to celebrate their common - and wildly varied - heritage.

Students such as Nudiario Fernandes, 13, from St Gregory School, Zana Maria, 11, from St John Fisher School and Libertaria Maria, 13, from St Gregory school, met with Lord Mayor Rae Humberstone and community representatives on Wednesday to launch a new Southeast Asian festival.

Those present were treated to a talk from Jose Ramos-Horta, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1996 and was once the president of the East Timor Students in Oxford society.

Co-organiser Enia Quadros, 34, said: "This was initially organised by St Anthony's College and we organised for the community to come along.

"It was amazing. We are so happy that our ex-president actually came and we had a chance to meet him."

Photographs and pictures were brought along by visitors hailing from Thailand and Malaysia, who displayed them and explained what they meant to them.

The Festival of Southeast Asia in Oxford 2016 will run until April 24 and includes museum and library exhibits, talks, dance and film nights.

For more information visit tinyurl.com/zyvj62g