Parents, children and staff have welcomed a new £10,000 footpath designed to guide them safely to a family centre.

City councillors Bill Baker and Richard Tarver open the new walkway Donnington Doorstep in Townsend Square, off Donnington Bridge Road, Oxford, had been without a footpath since moving into its premises in 1996.

Parents organised a campaign, highlighted in the Oxford Mail, asking for a footpath to be funded with cash from Oxford City Council's east area capital budget.

They were concerned about the danger of escorting young children through the busy car park to get to the main door.

Lynn Grandi, deputy manager of Donnington Doorstep, said: "A lot of parents who came in this week said how much happier they feel about being able to walk along safely."

Bill Baker, chairman of the council's east area committee, said: "I know parents are relieved that the footpath is now in place and it shows that our area committee is listening to people's concerns and taking action."

The new pedestrian access is now being used by the 60 adults and children who visit the drop-in family centre daily, as well as children who attend the neighbouring playgroup.

It will also benefit the extra users anticipated after a planned extension is carried out later this year to coincide with the centre's 20th anniversary.