OXFORD is to be part of a £1m spectacular to celebrate the Olympic Games.

The city will host a party ahead of the 2012 games, sparking hopes that the Olympic torch will come to the city.

The “large-scale outdoor celebration” is one of four around the UK to be announced today at London’s Royal Festival Hall by The Legacy Trust UK.

Five events will take place at locations along the River Thames between June and September 2012.

More than 1,000 people, including schools, are expected to take part in the celebrations at Christ Church Meadow, to bring together sport, science and the arts.

No further details have been released but one South East town or city will get a “Tree of Light”, an LED tree powered by energy generated by cyclists and rowers.

The city celebrations will be masterminded by cultural group Oxford Inspires.

Spokesman Scott Cridland-Smith said: “There will be a strong educational aspect of the programme with schools and community groups from across the region working with environmental scientists and professionals from the world of visual arts, music and dance.”

The trust, set up to ensure the games leave Britain with a lasting legacy, will contribute £750,000 while the Arts Council England will contribute £200,000.

Some £1.3bn will come from the Government for the UK events with a further £0.3bn from the National Lottery.

The East Midlands, Scotland and Northern Ireland will also hold the celebrations.

Trust chairman Dugald Mackie said: “These community celebrations will help spread the magic and excitement of the 2012 Games outside London and leave a lasting legacy across the four regions involved.”

London 2012 has also asked councils to request visits from the Olympic torch during its 70-day UK tour. The final locations will be announced later this year and organisers said 95 per cent of residents will be within an hour of a visit.

Culture Secretary, Jeremy Hunt said: “Community celebration is proof that the Olympics and Paralympics are much more than a sporting event; that culture and community are also at the core of a successful games.

“These events will give people the chance to take part and help create a lasting and meaningful legacy well beyond 2012.”