PACKED with an eclectic crowd of shoppers the city's historical Town Hall was the top place to be this Saturday.

Hundreds of visitors joined co-hosts drag queen Her Who and activist and TV presenter Caryn Franklin MBE in this year’s Jumble Fever sale organised by The Oxford Circle, which works to achieve equality for women worldwide.

Shoppers were queuing up to secure tickets for the afternoon raffle that advertised prizes such as a black velvet dress, donated by The Circle founder Annie Lennox; a pair of Vivienne Westwood Red Heart earrings and a bracelet; a bag from the Mary Poppins film set donated by actor Colin Firth; a signed copy of Philip Pullman’s ‘The Book of Dust’; and theatre tickets for an Oxford Playhouse show.

And while many visitors had turned up hoping to score some of the celebrity-donated items, many saw this as an opportunity to freshen up their wardrobe.

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Oxford Mail:

Shoppers browsed racks and shelves filled with clothing, shoes, jewellery, homeware, books, puzzles, children’s toys, Halloween costumes, evening gowns and even wedding dresses – all second-hand or vintage.

Many customers were spotted dragging large canvas bags loaded with merchandise, with co-host Ms Franklin admitting she'd bagged a bargain £1 purse for each of her family members.

The activist who describes herself as a ‘disruptive fashion lover’ often campaigns for sustainability and recycling materials in the garment industry, and against fast fashion.

Ms Franklin applauded all shoppers who had chosen to celebrate ‘an excellent initiative’ and reduce their carbon imprint by buying secondhand.

She said: “One of the things we can all do is realise our own privilege and use it to help others.

“The carbon emissions from making clothes directly contributes to climate change, so it affects everybody.

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Oxford Mail:

“What we do have though is a cycle in which women are prompted to repeat buy more than men because fashion has recognised that it can sell to women through appearance insecurities.”

Ms Franklin’s ethos about sustainability was also confirmed by many of the people spending their Saturday at Town Hall.

Raffle-winner Jo Newson who scored a complimentary haircut at Popham Hairdressing said she picked the most practical gift as she simply did not know what to do with an Annie Lennox garment.

Ms Newson, who was also volunteering at a jewellery stall, said: “I wouldn’t know what to do with it, it’s way too posh.

“I wanted something that I would actually use, so a haircut was perfect, and the Annie Lennox dress could go to someone who will love it.”

With all proceeds going to initiatives that aim to help marginalised women around the world, organisers reported they were ‘miles ahead’ of last year’s donations.

A spokesperson for Jumble Fever confirmed that more than 600 attended the sale and 1,200 tickets were purchased for the raffle.