CARNIVAL spirit came early to Cowley Road in Oxford as a band trumpeted the start to an evening of fundraising.

Horns of Plenty entertained guests — and passers by — outside Majliss restaurant on Tuesday night.

A fundraising dinner and auction for the Cowley Road Carnival, due to be held on Sunday, July 6, was held at the restaurant for more than 50 guests.

The evening, which was attended by the Oxford Mail, helped to raise about £5,000 for the summer event.

Lots auctioned included a Jamaican cooking lesson, a 12-month pass to zumba classes with George Martini, a bottle of Bollinger champagne and two tickets to see Oxford United from the Directors’ Box. Carnival organisers need to raise £110,000 for the event.

Majliss owner Loylu Miah said: “We are proud to support the Cowley Road Carnival and urge all local businesses to extend their support to ensure the future success of the carnival too.”