Thousands of carol singers across the county will burst into song tomorrow night in a bid to break a world record.

Churches, community groups, supermarkets and pubs are taking part in the Big Christmas Carol event, organised by BBC Radio Oxford.

The Rev Mike Beaumont who leads Oxford Community Church's congregation at the King's Centre, in Osney Mead, and also presents a Sunday night faith show on the radio station, is the organiser of the event.

He said: "We've been doing this event for the past couple of years and we're hoping this year will be even bigger and better than ever.

"We want to link people together across the county in one mega-event that will be held in lots of different locations.

"We hope everyone gets involved. Christmas is a time to bring people together and celebrate. The majority of people have some sort of faith belief and this will give them an opportunity to express that."

As well as churches and community groups, supermarkets will also be involved, with Tesco Extra in Abingdon and Sainsbury's in Witney taking part.

Mr Beaumont added: "It will be fantastic. I can just imagine people pushing their trolleys around the store and singing along."

There will be live broadcasts from churches around the county. Headington Baptist Church, in Old High Street, will be holding a relaxed style of service as part of the event tonight.

Minister, the Rev James Bloice Smith, said: "It's great to do something broader than your own church, that connects people from across the county.

"It is a time of year when people find it great to identify with the story that God loves us and has come to us."

Mr Bloice Smith added that Christmas could be a very lonely time of year for those without family around them, and urged people to come to the church and get involved.

Singers will also be joining in the event at Didcot's Orchard Centre and Botley Baptist Church in Westminster Way.

There will be special performances from Any Dream Will Do TV talent show finalist Antony Hansen and the Oxford Salvation Army Band at the King's Centre.

Despite the numbers of singers involved, it is not known whether anyone will be actually counting them - potentially scuppering any record attempt.

For more details call 08459 311222.