Oxford could get another TV station under plans announced by the Government yesterday.

The Government said the city is one of 65 UK locations that regulator Ofcom could award licences to. Bids will be invited later this year, with ministers expecting to award up to 20 licences next year for a 2013 start. More are expected in the future.

The Oxford channel would also cover Abingdon and Didcot.

Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: “These new, local TV services will be a fundamental change in how people get information about their own communities, and how they hold their representatives to account.

“There’s a huge appetite for local news and information in communities the length and breadth of the country. I want people to be able to watch television that’s relevant to them.”

He said the Government has to “judge the level of interest from potential broadcasters and audiences”.

A consultation asks: “Why do you think your town or city should be among the first of those selected to bid for a local TV licence?”

The Government hopes more channels will broadcast into TVs via the internet in the long-term.

It comes after mooted plans to axe BBC Oxford TV bulletins were ruled out by the corporation. Director-general Mark Thompson it “won’t be closing any local radio stations or television regions”.