A FLAGSHIP sports centre that has helped thousands of people in Oxford get fit and active has celebrated its 20th birthday.

Oxsrad (Oxford and District Sports and Recreation Association for the Disabled), in Court Place Farm, Marston, held a fun day to mark the milestone on Saturday.

Those attending included James Heydon, 13, pictured, a patrol leader with Yarnton Scouts, who ran a make-your-own kebab stall.

Centre manager Paul Saxton, who has been with the charity for six months, said: “The sports centre was the first of its kind in the UK to specialise in sport for people with disabilities.

“We are a charity-run centre and we have had to rely on donations and fundraising.

“It’s amazing, to be honest, that we have managed to keep going for 20 years, as it’s hard to attract funding and we have had instances over the years of people vandalising and breaking into the place — there have been numerous times when the centre has almost closed, but we are still here.”

The centre, opened by Princess Diana in 1989, has helped not only disabled people in the city, but also scores of pensioners and young people to get involved in sport.

Visitors to the sports centre on Saturday enjoyed side shows and a pig roast, with plenty to entertain children including games and a bouncy castle.

Mr Saxton added: “It was great for people to come along and see what we are doing. We are celebrating that we have been here for 20 years and it’s just making people aware.

“When I took over here, I soon realised that relatively few people know we exist.”

Picture: Antony Moore