Oxford’s May Morning saw its highest turnout for six years with about 16,000 people descending on the city for the treasured tradition.

The figures, which have been estimated by Oxford City Council, are the highest for the event since 2017 when it saw a record crowd of 27,000.

There were about 3,500 more people than last year, while the events in 2020 and 2021 were held virtually due to the covid pandemic.

READ MORE: Thousands descend on Oxford for May Morning

Larger numbers were expected at this year’s event as it coincided with a bank holiday.

The crowd of 16,000 stretched from the High Street to the Plain for the 6am choral welcome for the coming of spring.

The tradition, which stretches back more than 500 years, began at 6am with Magdalen College Choir singing from the college’s Great Tower.

READ MORE: Choir sings from different tower on May Morning in 1976

Once they had finished singing traditional pieces, including the Hymnus Eucharisticus, the young choristers waved from the tower to the crowd down below.

Oxford Mail: Larger numbers were expected at this year’s event as it coincided with a bank holiday.

The rest of the morning saw traditional entertainment such as Morris dancing in Radcliffe Square, New College Lane and Broad Street.

A full report of May Morning will appear in tomorrow's Oxford Mail.