Quakers are celebrating 400 years since the birth of their faith's founder.

George Fox, born in 1624, established the Quaker faith during a time of significant religious and political unrest.

A 400th birthday event for Mr Fox will take place on October 3 at 7pm at St Ethelwolds House in Abingdon.  

There are now more than 400,000 Quakers, also known as Friends, globally.

Mr Fox, who visited Oxford in 1656, noted in his journal: "The scholars were very rude; but the Lord's power came over them. Great meetings we had as we travelled up and down."

Quakers practise a form of worship focused on contemplative stillness, seeking what they understand as the Light of Christ.

Their belief that this negates the need for pre-appointed clergy however, provoked persecution.

The first Quakers in Oxfordshire, Elizabeth Fletcher and Mary Holmes, faced harsh treatment despite only being teenagers, including being whipped at the gate of St Giles Church and having their mouths pumped with water at St John's College.

Public records document nearly 500 instances of Quakers in Oxfordshire being fined or imprisoned for various charges, such as refusing to take the oath of allegiance or attending silent Quaker meetings.

Today, more Quakers live in Oxfordshire and neighbouring counties than almost anywhere else in Britain.

This includes groups meeting on Sunday mornings in Abingdon, Oxford, Headington, Charlbury, Wallingford and Banbury.