AN array of exhilarating shows captivated shoppers this afternoon as a dance festival launched at Oxford's Westgate Centre.

Dancin' Oxford were in Leiden Square until 5pm performing the free shows to mark the start of its Spring Dance Festival.

Zumba and street dance masterclasses enthralled shoppers, with dozens of people stopping to watch the performances.

The event was part of the wider 10-day festival, which is taking place at venues across the city and in Banbury.

Dance companies from all over the country will descend on the county to showcase a range of styles and festival director, Claire Thompson, hopes it inspires people to find out more.

She said: "Events like today are so important because there are a lot of people who have never seen dance live before and they'll just happen across it.

"They didn't plan to come into town and come and see a dance performance, but it's about bringing it to people who may never have experienced it before.

"We hope today might inspire some people to start dancing or see a show, when they might not have done had they not come along today."