ZIMBABWEANS living in Oxford and across the country celebrated the removal of former president Robert Mugabe and set up an organisation to improve international links.

The local Zimbabweans, those from further afield in the UK and others from the community came together on Saturday at Littlemore Community Centre to celebrate the 'peaceful transition' of power in the African country.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson was also invited, but told the group he was 'too busy' to attend.

But Lord Mayor Jean Fooks and city councillor John Tanner capably filled in at the event.

The group enjoyed African food and music and discussed the developments in Zimbabwe, where Robert Mugabe's 37-year regime came to an end last month following a military coup.

Martin Shaba, who came to England in 2002 to escape the brutality of Mugabe’s regime and now lives in Littlemore, organised the event and said it was a great success.

He said: "We had a good number of people there, I was surprised everyone came together - we even had Zimbabweans coming from Leicester and Manchester, it was a successful day.

"We discussed the situation in Zimbabwe and I feel it has improved, and we wanted to celebrate the peaceful transition of power and honour the people back home.

"We don't know much of the details as we are not there but it seems no blood was shed - and we know from history that can happen when there is a coup."

The 49-year-old, who has a degree in politics and administration and a diploma from Oxford Brookes University, said the group wanted to launch an organisation representing Zimbabweans in the UK, at its next meeting in January.

He said: "It will contain Zimbabweans living in Oxfordshire but it's not limited to the county at all.

"We want to create an organisation that is 'one voice' linking ourselves in the UK to what is happening in Zimbabwe.

"We need to now improve links with the international community which is why it is so great that the Lord Mayor and councillor John Tanner came to the event - it shows strong links with the city council.

He added: "Many of us have children, mine consider themselves British but I want that generation to be able to communicate with uncles and aunts back home - through promoting the language - and by keeping track of developments."