Residents of an Oxford estate love the area so much they want to stay there forever - even after death.

Pensioners living in Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys for years have called for an official area, blessed by local churches, where ashes can be scattered, close to their homes.

But their hopes have so far been thwarted because of the lack of an appropriate space.

However, residents could soon get the resting place they want in woodland near Grenoble Road.

The issue was first raised two years ago when Blackbird Leys city councillor Val Smith learned a local woman had kept her husband's ashes for years because there was nowhere on the estate where they could be scattered.

Blackbird Leys Parish Council has now taken up the issue following repeated requests from pensioners.

Parish council chairman Brian Lester, 57, of Pegasus Road, said: "I want my ashes kept here. It would be important to me and my family.

"I wouldn't like to move from this estate - it's home.

"The house I live in now, my parents moved into when it was first built 40 years ago, so it means a lot to stay in this area - even after we're gone."

His parents Joan and Stan Lester, of Cuddesdon Way, have lived in the area for more than 40 years. Mrs Lester, 77, said: "We know what we want when we're gone. We both want to be cremated and put in a garden of rest." Parish councillor Bob Avery said: "We were requested to raise the issue in July last year by residents who want their own ashes to be scattered.

"There are still no facilities at all."

He added: "It's become apparent to us that a lot of elderly residents have a passionate desire to have their ashes scattered close to where they have lived for 50 or more years. It makes sense, and would be a decent thing to do."

The proposed resting place, known as Sandford Brake, is owned jointly by Oxford City Council and Thames Water, on land in the South Oxfordshire district.

Mrs Smith said: "It would be an ideal spot. Having official resting places matters to people, but it's really complicated getting land designated.

"The parish council and the local Holy Family Church want an official place, formally blessed by the church and set aside.

"The difficulty is that the land isn't actually in the city so permission would be needed from South Oxfordshire District Council.

"We can't just do what we want. I think the reason nothing's been done in all this time is because it's complicated.

"People are very devoted to the estate and like to think their own remains as well as their loved ones' will be close to the homes they lived in. We're looking into it.

"Ideally people want a place they can put up a monument. But there's already an issue in Oxford with normal burial sites in short supply."

Fleur Houston, minister for the inter-denominational Holy Family Church in Cuddesdon Way, said: "I think it's a wonderful idea.

"It could be very important because there's a remarkable degree of identity in this area.

"I do know quite a lot of people travel considerable distances by bus to visit their loved ones' graves or memorial sites.

"If you're an old or vulnerable person, that's not easy. Having somewhere nearby would be very valuable."

City council area committee co-ordinator Fergus Lapage will investigate the idea before contacting South Oxfordshire District Council for its views.