WITNEY is a pretty, thriving market town whose success flies in the face of the ongoing economic downturn.

The multi-million pound expansion of the town’s Woolgate Centre is to start within six months.

How many towns or cities can say that?

True, the Witney and Abingdon College project has been put on hold, but one only has to take a walk through the town to see it is a thriving place.

The reason is probably free parking. Why would anyone want to queue in traffic only to pay through the nose to park in Oxford city centre when shopping in Witney is an altogether more pleasant experience?

While Oxford City Council has cranked up its car park charges in a bid to make more money, West Oxfordshire District Council has got it spot on.