Work has started on a £1m scheme to improve Bicester's sewage treatment works. Thames Water is upgrading the Oxford Road works to bring it in line with new standards set out by the Environment Agency.

The £1.35m project, which is expected to be completed by October, includes an overhaul of the pumping station, which brings sewage into the works, and new tanks to hold the high volumes of waste water entering the site after heavy storms.

The upgrade will also help the site cope with increases in the population.