ONE of oxfor's most iconic landmarks - Christ Church’s Tom Tower, is to be lit up every Thursday in a show of support to the NHS.

The Sir Christopher Wren-designed tower will be illuminated after every Thursday's weekly Clap for Carers.

The light was switched on for the first time last night by Christ Church alumnus Dr Evan Edmond, who has been redeployed to work in the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford during the pandemic.

Tom Tower will go blue every Thursday for the eight weeks of the college's summer term as an ongoing reminder of the dedication shown by doctors, nurses, carers and other health workers across the country.

Term began at Oxford University this week, but most students are unable to return to the city during the lockdown. Medical student David Kim, who is also working at the John Radcliffe Hospital and is one of the few students currently in residence at Christ Church, said: “It was a lovely tribute to the doctors, nurses, carers and researchers in Oxford who are working round the clock.

Read more: May Morning celebrated virtually on lockdown

"It should remind us of just how privileged we are to have them.”

Christ Church’s Clerk of Works, Steve Brown, put the new lighting in place.

In addition to housing medical students, Christ Church has been able to support the NHS by providing accommodation in the college for doctors and other staff who are working at the John Radcliffe Hospital during the pandemic.

Many NHS staff are being redeployed to support acute medicine and intensive care, with full-time clinical researchers like Dr Edmond with medical training also stepping in to help.

Read more: Get Friday feeling on lockdown with Oxford disco DJ in your front room 

Christ Church’s Senior Censor, Professor Geraldine Johnson, said: “Our students have been telling us how much they miss being in Christ Church, particularly this week, as the reality of a new term under lockdown begins to sink in.

"Hopefully seeing the familiar form of Tom Tower in a new light, which makes visible our enormous gratitude for all that the NHS is doing in Oxford and across the country, will remind them of everything they love most about Christ Church.”