AN OXFORD parish council is back at full strength less than a year after it was in danger of folding.

Blackbird Leys Parish Council has elected a new chairman, vice chairman and treasurer and now boasts a full complement of 14 councillors.

The council's new leaders have promised to tackle fly- tipping, to improve the estate's name and to ensure facilities are available for disabled, elderly and vulnerable people.

In May last year the council was thrown into turmoil by the resignation of two of its longest serving council- lors.

The standing down of chairman Brian Lester and vice chairman Bob Avery left only six people serving as councillors - less than half of a full council.

A stand-in chairman was elected but he resigned six months later.

However, people on the estate responded to the call for volunteers to be councillors and the council has returned to full strength.

New chairman Gordon Roper, 69, who had acted as stand-in chairman since November, said: "It was a bit of a bombshell when they both resigned.

"It left a big hole, but we had to move on.

"The last thing we wanted to do was have the parish council fold, because it had done a lot of good work over the years.

"I think it could have folded if we didn't get these other parish councillors in.

"I'm very proud and pleased that people have come forward to sit on the parish council for the benefit of the estate."

Mr Roper's first move as chairman was to meet officials from Oxford City Council's cleansing department to discuss flytipping on the estate.

He said rubbish was being dumped in disused garages which was then blown over neighbouring streets.

He added: "Keeping the estate clean and tidy is going to be my priority - but the residents have to play their part as well.

"We need to keep putting pressure on the city council for cleansing and repairs."

Vice chairman Gerry Webb, 63, from Fry's Court, Greater Leys, said: "I think we do have a litter problem.

"It's a very big issue for the estate which in turn creates an issue for the parish council."

Mr Webb added: "I'm very positive about the council.

"We have got a good crew now with a good mix of experiences in different fields.

"There are a number of important issues and a lot needs to be done for disabled people and elderly and vulnerable people on the estate."