More than two dozen abandoned shopping trolleys are picked up from the streets and parks of Oxford every day.

The figure emerged after the city's biggest retailers clubbed together to combat the litter problem by recruiting a specialist trolley collection company — with 2,700 picked up over the past three months.

But even with the squad there is still a problem: we found eight on the streets in just a quick 45-minute scouting trip.

Oxford city councillor John Tanner, executive member for a cleaner, greener Oxford, welcomed the clean-up squad.

He said last night: "We have been working in conjunction with the supermarkets and the new scheme seems to have been working really well.

"People take the trolleys meaning to bring them back, but forget. Then the kids get hold of them and dump them on street corners and in ditches.

"It's a real problem — they are a blight."

To support the clean-up operation, the city council has agreed to suspend powers adopted in May to fine supermarkets £65 for every trolley collected and stored at City Works.

The powers — granted under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 — allow local authorities to seize, store and dispose of abandoned trolleys before billing supermarkets.

Mr Tanner explained: "We have the power to fine supermarkets, but we would much prefer them to collect their own wandering trolleys rather than have taxpayers pay for them to be picked up."

Trolley Collection Services responds to reports of abandoned trolleys from the council's street cleaning teams.

It also checks hotspots daily, particularly East Oxford and Cowley.

The retail giants funding the clean-up operation are Tesco, Iceland and Somerfield, though trolleys have also been returned to Sainsbury's, Marks and Spencer, B&Q, Matalan, TK Max, The Co-Op, Homebase and Toys R Us.

Tesco spokesman Taryna Surtees last night confirmed its two stores in Cowley had backed the scheme.

She said: "All supermarkets have problems with trolleys going missing.

"They are very expensive and we want to be a good neighbour and not create litter.

"It's great to help clean up the city and benefit our customers at the same time. We want there to be plenty of trolleys for everyone."

Last year students were blamed for pinching trolleys worth £10,000 from Tesco Metro in Cowley Road in just six weeks.

A new fleet of 100 trolleys was delivered to the supermarket in December 2006, but by February there were only 20 left — despite the fact customers had to deposit a £1 coin to release them.

In December last year, 50 more trolleys were reported missing from the same store.

Do you know where shoppers regularly dump trolleys? Call our newsdesk on 01865 425500. Alternatively, report abandoned trolleys by calling the city council on 01865 252900.