OXFORD Bus Company will boost its services with extra buses and additional drivers for the Oxford Half Marathon.

On Sunday an extra 22 journeys will operate on the 300 and 400 park-and-ride services throughout the day, to help runners and spectators get to and from the event, which starts in Broad Street at 9.30am, following a warm-up in the University Parks.

The 300 and 400 service will operate every five minutes during peak hours and then every seven to eight minutes.

Large crowds are expected to attend the 13.1-mile run and numerous roads will be closed, with diversions in place throughout the day. Last year more than 8,000 runners took part.

Parking near the starting line will be extremely limited and visitors are encouraged to use park-and-ride services, which will begin operating at 6.30am from Thornhill, Redbridge, Pear Tree and Seacourt. Three children up to the age of 15 can travel for free on the park-and-ride with a fare-paying adult.

The bus company has been a key partner of the Oxford Half Marathon since it was launched in 2011.

Managing director Phil Southall said: “We’re looking forward to helping deliver another successful Oxford Half Marathon working in partnership with several key stakeholders. We are increasing our services and have drafted in extra drivers to help ensure we keep Oxford moving on Sunday.

“It is a fantastic event that supports so many good causes.”