Girls' football in Bicester has been given a financial boost thanks to service station operator Moto.

Moto's parent company, Compass Group, have given Cherwell District Council a £2,000 grant to help develop a girls football programme in the town.

The programme, which was devised by staff at Cherwell Valley service area, off junction 10 of the M40 motorway, provides qualified coaches, skills courses and tournaments for eight to 11 year-old girls.

It is hoped the project will help create a Bicester Girls' Football League.

Tim Moss, Moto's managing director, said: "Our community work is a long-term project for Moto.

"The Cherwell Valley Girls' Football Programme is one of many projects that staff at all levels in our business take part in. "We are very proud of the work we do within local communities and hope to continue making a positive difference."

Cherwell's sports development officer, Matt Hill, said: "Around 2,300 girls in the Cherwell district have been playing football and receiving coaching during the last year as a result of Moto's sponsorship.

"We're looking forward to the year ahead and the opportunity to carry on supporting the girls."

The 13 schools involved in the scheme have all applied for recognition under the Football Association's Charter Standard for Schools, which recognises good practice in training and coaching.