An election candidate wants a preservation order to be placed on an Oxford pub to stop McDonald's turning it into a fast-food outlet.

Ed Matts, who will stand for the Tories in Oxford West and Abingdon at the General Election, wants building work on the Carpenters Arms at Botley to be halted.

McDonalds does not need planning approval to convert the pub in Botley Road into a burger restaurant and work is already under way.

Since then, McDonald's has announced plans to turn it into a drive-thru restaurant but this would need planning permission.

Opponents say the development will create traffic chaos.

Mr Matts hopes to get a building preservation order to prevent any drastic changes to the 60-year-old building.

He said: "The Carpenters Arms has always been an important part of the local community and local residents have been ignored. It is important that they are involved by McDonald's. It is all well and good making noises about doing something.

"I want to try and do something positive about it, and make sure whatever McDonald's do they consult the residents themselves.

"I am writing to the Vale of White Horse district council asking for the Carpenters Arms to be made a listed building.

"I am asking them to place a building preservation order in the interim.

"This would effectively stop any unsympathetic changes until the listing is made."