Three former Lord Mayors of Oxford have confirmed they are aiming to make political comebacks as county councillors.

One of those seeking election is Conservative Janet Todd, 83, a former city and county councillor who left the county council in 1997, after 20 years' service.

She has been backing the fight to keep Oxford's middle schools, although the proposal to switch from a three-tier to two-tier education system has now been approved.

Betty StandingfordEarlier this year, she visited the High Court in London when campaigning parents failed in their bid to obtain a judicial review of the council's decision.

And it was her involvement in the campaign that persuaded her to try to make a comeback as a county councillor in the Oxford Cherwell division.

Barbara GatehouseTwo other former Lord Mayors opposing the scrapping of middle schools are aiming to reenter the political fray.

Betty Standingford, 79, and Barbara Gatehouse, 72, have also been declared in the nominations for the New Marston and Blackbird Leys divisions respectively. They are both Labour candidates.

Mrs Standingford said she was standing for election because of dissatisfaction with policy on schools and roads in the Marston area.

She said she would still have "more energy than some young people".