A pilotscheme mixing food, music and information, proved such a success it may be repeated across the county, according to a police inspector.

More than 700 people visited Barton Neighbourhood Centre in Underhill Circus, on Oxford’s Barton estate, for the county’s first Community Action Day yesterday.

The event, organised by Thames Valley Police and Barton Community Association, was designed to allow families to talk to police officers, firefighters and youth workers in a social setting.

Visitors were treated to performances by local singers and street dance group Messy Jam, while also having the chance to visit stalls set up by local agencies including youth services and the RSPCA.

North East Oxford Insp Ned Qureshi said: “It has been absolutely fabulous — beyond expectations.

“It is the first event of its kind in Oxfordshire, but it will definitely happen again.”

Mr Qureshi said the police were looking at putting on similar events elsewhere.

Sue Holden, secretary of Barton Community Association, who volunteered at the Eatwells cafe in the centre, said: “It has given us the chance to showcase the cafe and to make people aware that we have it.

“It has been a wonderful exercise, but then Barton always pulls out all the stops when there is a community event.”

Children at the event were treated to face painting, free sports, and competed against local police officers on a computer racing simulator.

Mother-of-two Clare Warman, of Barton Village Road, said: “It has been really good.

“People criticise estates sometimes but it just shows there is a community spirit, and when people get together they can put on a good event.”

Mrs Warman’s son Callum, nine, said: “It has gone well. The street dancing was very good.”

Lim Cox, 36, and daughter Britney from Leiden Road, Wood Farm, got her 16-week-old Staffordshire bull terrier Bentley microchipped for free at the event.

Mother-of-two Miss Cox said: “Events like this bring people together and help us know what services are out there.”