THE legacy of a pioneering project which helped turn around an Oxford estate, has been secured, thanks to a city council grant.

The Barton Community Development Project, which folded in March after National Lottery funds totalling £134,000 dried up, was only ever envisaged as a three-year project.

But community leaders feared that, without continued funding, its benefits would be lost Last night, however, they were celebrating after Oxford City Council agreed to fund a community development worker for the next two years, at a total cost of £20,000.

The role will involve supporting community projects, sourcing future funding and expanding the work carried out in Barton to Northway and Wood Farm.

Councillor Patrick Murray, who represents Barton and Sandhills, said the city council's north east area committee had backed the project.

He said: "The development project made a huge difference to people's lives in Barton. It improved facilities and proved a really useful voice for general consultation."

Sue Holden, secretary of Barton Community Association, said securing the funding was great news.

She said: "We are absolutely delighted.

"I think the council realised the success of the previous project.

"We want to empower local people to take on more responsibility and look for funding to secure the post for the future. There's nothing like local people working within their own communities."

The Barton Community Development Project helped bring about the redevelopment of Underhill Circus and fund community projects such as the junior youth club.

It also found cash for the new café in Barton Neighbourhood Centre, created an A to Z of Barton services and established the community website liveinbarton.co.uk Community health trainer Maureen Robertson has been involved in community work in Barton since 2003, when residents got together to ask local people how they wanted to improve the area.

The Barton Community Development Project was formed in 2005 to implement the Barton Community Action Plan - the culmination of that public survey.

Mrs Robertson said: "I'm really pleased.

"I think every estate needs a community development worker and it would have been a great shame if the good work undertaken in Barton didn't continue into the future."