OXFORD'S biggest estate has bid a fond farewell to three community stalwarts who together have amassed more than three decades of public service. 

A leaving party for councillors Gordon Roper and Ann Booker and parish council clerk Nicky Clargo was held in Greater Leys yesterday. 

The councillors did not seek re-election to the Blackbird Leys Parish Council and Ms Clargo is stepping down from her post as clerk.

Former East Oxford MP Andrew Smith paid tribute to the trio saying they leave 'very big shoes to fill.'

Mr Smith, who served on the neighbourhood council with Mr Roper, said he had given 'wonderful service' to the community. 

He added: "Gordon is always ready to help local people, full of common sense and great at listening and getting things done. 

"He really does have his ear to the ground and is not afraid to speak his mind and stir things up a bit when the situation warrants it."

Mr Smith went on to praise Mr Roper's work to keep the parish council going through 'hard times' as well as good and for his work to overcome the stigma once attached to the estate. 

He said: "When I started on the city council back in 1976, 'anywhere but Blackbird Leys' was an all too common request in council housing allocations.

"Now we're never complacent, and there is always more to do, but the improvements in facilities, in living standards, in the security, upkeep and quality of life locally are such that we can be really proud of the progress out community has made, and the better picture it's been possible to get across in the local media. 

"Gordon you played an important part in that - thank you."

He then gave personal thanks to Mr Roper for his work to honour the memory of Mr Smith's wife Val, who died in 2015.

Ann Booker was praised for her longstanding support for the speedway stadium in Sandy Lane and for her 'dedicated presence' when service personnel are repatriated at the John Radcliffe Hospital