The Driving Standards Authority has confirmed that Oxfordshire's motorcycle test centres will remain open for an extra six months.

Test centres in Oxford and Banbury had been scheduled to close this month, following the introduction of new testing procedures.

However, the authority said it was delaying the introduction of a new test which would have made those sites unsuitable, and will keep them open until March 30 2009.

It also aims to find alternative testing locations to prevent learner riders having to travel to Newbury and Swindon for tests.

Welcoming the announcement was Dave Grover, pictured front, Chief Instructor at Quickstart Motorcycle Training, and trainees, Mark Hardcastle, left, and Timon Colgrove.