Residents will have a greater say in town affairs under a new plan announced this week.

Banbury Town Council is consulting local groups and residents on how the town is run and how shopping areas and housing estates could be made safer.

And it has promised to provide the additional services at no extra cost to taxpayers.

The Tory-led authority has set its council tax precept at the same level as last year and has listed additional benefits and how targets are to be achieved. The overall tax, set by Cherwell District Council, will still go up, however.

Areas earmarked for improvement include crime prevention and a park ranger scheme to make recreational areas and cemeteries more attractive.

The town council is also keen to tackle litter to help improve Banbury's image.

A blueprint has been drawn up to allow the schemes to work together and produce long-term improvements.

Cllr Kieron Mallon said: "This is about getting the basics right to enable local people to have a say in how the town is run in the future. It will be a Banbury plan for Banbury people.