An appeal has been issued for sponsors to step forward and help this year’s Headington Festival in Oxford go with a bang.

Headington Action has appealed for businesses to support this year’s event and fill a funding shortfall left by council cuts.

It comes as organisers of the Cowley Road Carnival announced the annual event would be scaled down to a smaller celebration in South Park because of a funding crisis.

Headington Action, which organises the annual celebration, said it cost £7,000 to stage the event, £4,000 of which was given by Oxford City Council, with the rest made up by sponsors. But this year the council has cut funding to £2,800 — meaning the group has to find the rest from donations.

James Bloice Smith, chairman of Headington Action, said: “We are obviously going to have to dig a bit deeper than usual because of the financial situation, but that is no reason for this year not to be as good, or even better, than previous festivals.

“Things aren’t as bad for us as for the Cowley Road Carnival, because we have a much smaller budget.

“We are slightly different to the carnival, we’re more of a glorified village fete, but maybe it’ll mean we attract a bigger crowd this year.

“We are very grateful to the city council for the money, but donations are always welcomed.

“Co-op has in the past sponsored us and Waitrose were interested, but hopefully a variety of businesses will come forward.”

The festival — now in its eighth year — takes place at Bury Knowle Park between 1pm and 5pm on Sunday, June 7.

Performances from magicians and Strawberry Fayre Majorettes, from Cowley, helped to attract a crowd of 3,000 to last year.

A fun fair, bric-a-brac stalls and charity exhibitions will also return this year and children will again be able to enjoy face painting and a bouncy castle. A fancy dress competition is also planned, Mr Bloice Smith said.

l To find out more about the Headington Festival, visit the website headington.org.uk awilliams@oxfordmail.co.uk