The first of 180 new bus shelters planned for Oxford has been given the thumbs up by passengers.

People waiting at the new bus stop, in Blackbird Leys Road, were unanimous in their praise for the shelter, which offers protection from the wind and rain in a traditional Oxford blue colour.

The new construction was unveiled on Friday, and replaced an old shelter that had been removed two years ago because of vandalism.

Another 179 shelters will be constructed across Oxford over the next five years, with 72 erected within the next 12 months.

City councillor Jean Fooks, executive member for a cleaner city, said Oxford City Council had renegotiated a deal with manufacturer Clear Channel UK, which meant the new shelters would not cost taxpayers a single penny.

Clear Channel UK will recoup its money through advertising at selected shelters.

Ms Fooks said: "It has been a long time coming.

"For many years we've known shelters in Oxford were in a grotty state - this is absolutely fantastic."

The first passengers to use the bus stop, which has a light but no electronic timetable, agreed.

Melone Rhone, 41, who lives on Blackbird Leys Road, said: "I think it's great. We really needed a shelter here.

"It's really bad sometimes. When it's raining it's horrible and it can be really cold and windy. This is really lovely."

Aaron Quelch, 18, from Falcon Close, said: "It's much better than the old one. It would be much better with a timetable."

Doreen Burrage,from Garsington, said: "It looks nice - some of the shelters are filthy."

And referring to vandals she added: "It is all right for a while until they get at it."

The new bus shelter arrived in the same week that Oxford Civic Society published a document detailing its opinion of bus shelters in the city.

Society chairman Tony Joyce said: "We're looking forward to a progressive programme in which all the bus stops in the city are brought up to a first class standard.

"At present, many bus stops lack shelters and are also deficient or uncomfortable in other ways. This is clearly a great step forward.

"The other welcome thing in the city's contract is the provision for regular cleaning and maintenance, which should make the bus stops more attractive places in which to wait."