'SUSPICIOUS' white powder dotted around Bicester has prompted a running club to speak out and ease residents' concerns.

A post to the Bicester General Chat (No Advertisements) Facebook page showed piles of powder pictured along Bicester's pathways and raised fears for dog safety.

But the Bicester Hash House Harriers running club were soon to quash concerns in revealing that it is flour used for marking running routes through Bicester.

It said it had heard fears for dogs, spreading drugs, and thieves marking houses but assured residents the powder is completely harmless and simply flour put down for runners.

The post added the group use two to three kilograms of flour per trail, running up to three times a year in Bicester.