TWO Oxfordshire men have been appointed to help oversee the county's mental health services in years to come.

As part of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Mental Health Partnership's bid for foundation status, governors have been elected to represent the county.

Mike Alexander and Ray Stone were both appointed following an election of seven candidates. Mr Alexander has lived in Oxfordshire for more than 30 years and is a trustee of mental health charity Restore, as well as a board member at Advance Housing and Support.

Mr Stone has worked as a teacher for more than 30 years, specialising in pupils with special educational needs or challenging behaviour.

Foundation status will allow OBMHP to control its own finances, away from Whitehall, and it is expected to hear by the beginning of March if its bid has been successful.

As part of the rules for foundation status, NHS trusts must enlist a group of members, made up of patients, staff and members of the public, from which governors are picked to form a council.

The trust board will be accountable to the council if it receives foundation status.

Chief executive Julie Waldron said: "We look forward to working with the Members' Council in the future.

"This announcement marks an exciting move forward in the way the trust will engage and involve people in developing responsive services which meet the needs of our local communities."