ABINGDON has started celebrating one of the biggest events in its calendar - the annual arts festival.

From now until March 15, a steady stream of events will be held in the town for the Abingdon Arts Festival.

The event began on Saturday with the Mayor of Abingdon, Lorraine Oates, placing a wish tag on a Yoko Ono Wish Tree at the Abingdon Charter, outside the library.

Members of the public have been invited to write their own wishes on pieces of paper and hang them on the tree's branches.

Children's events are planned, and the town's Mostly Books bookshop has also got involved.

Bookshop owner Mark Thornton said: "This is the first time we've been involved but we have put together a modest, yet exciting, programme that we hope has something for everyone.

"A lot of coverage of Abingdon recently has been very negative, focusing on the traffic and poor trading situation. The town has even been described as having a cultural deficit. Hopefully this festival gives the lie to that."

Children's author David Melling, who lives in the town, will host a drawing session for children to celebrate the launch of his Goblins books.

Another special visitor will be Judith Blacklock - a best-selling author of books on flower arranging.

Anna Cotsell, children and youth librarian at Abingdon Library, said: "It's something we have been involved in for several years and it has always been an enjoyable experience.

"We've got a variety of events for both adults and children and we hope, over the next few weeks, it will be good for the library as well as Abingdon as a whole."

Library manager Lucy Allwood added: "I genuinely think it's going to be the best festival yet - it's always excellent and is a real community event."

Businesses from across Abingdon are involved, including the Jennifer Gerard Gallery, in Stert Street, which has invited 25 artists to recreate Hans Holbein's famous painting The Amb- assadors.

Owner Jennifer Corrigan, a member of the festival committee, said: "The whole point of the festival is that it should draw people in. Not only are we looking for as much support from the people of Abingdon but from around the area and from businesses."

For more information about the events going on during the Abingdon Arts Festival, visit website abingdonartsfestival.org.uk