Oxford is warming up for a multi-cultural celebration on Sunday with the second Cowley Road carnival.

The Oxford-Mail sponsored event attracted 10,000 people last year and is promising to be an even bigger success this year with a new centrepiece -- a 200-strong procession -- on a rainbow theme.

The carnival runs from noon until 7pm and celebrates the ethnic populations of east Oxford, bringing together Indian, Pakistani, Afro-Caribbean and British cultures.

The procession will set off from Manzil Way at 1pm with about 200 schoolchildren, community group members and musicians on foot, bicycle, scooter and floats. The route is along Cowley Road to The Plain, then through St Clement's, Morrell Avenue and Union Street.

Joining the procession is the Rinky Dink mobile bicycle sound system, which is activated by pedal power. Local DJs, live bands and entertainers will perform on and around two stages at Manzil Gardens and the Asian Cultural Centre, Manzil Way.

Oxford reggae band, Makating, West Indian steel pan band, Bravo Bravo, and drumming and bagpipes outfit The G's are among the bands lined up to perform at Manzil Gardens.

Barathanatyam, Russian and Middle Eastern dancers will perform and traditional Indian and Asian pop music will be played.

The Kids' Trail offers activities and entertainment for children under 10 from 11am, including the East Oxford School Fair in Union Street. SS Mary and John Church in Cowley Road is opening its tower to offer a bird's-eye view of the carnival.

A children's area at Manzil Way includes a bouncy castle, magic and balloon sculptures and workshops.

Zoe Brooks, East Oxford Action Scheme manager, said: "It is just incredible.

"We didn't have a procession last year and a lot more people and community groups are involved this time. It is a real mixture of professional entertainment and local groups with a very strong multi-cultural theme."