Lovers of the Oxfordshire countryside are being treated to an exhibition charting the heyday and decline of barns.

The display, opening at Oxfordshire County Council's Centre for Oxfordshire Studies in the Central Library, Westgate, on Monday, December 1, also looks at new ways of using these distinctive buildings.

The exhibition is the work of John Steane.

Neil Fawcett, executive member for learning and culture, said: "Old barns have a tremendous landscape and wildlife value and this attractive display provides a very welcome introduction to their past, present and future. It also links seamlessly into the everyday work of the county's heritage services -- collecting, recording and making available information about barns and the many other features that make Oxfordshire such a special place."

Barns were once vital in sheltering wildlife such as owls, mice and bats.

Reaping machines, binders and combine harvesters meant barns rapidly became obsolete.

Farmers now need more space to house their increasingly bulky mach- inery.

The display can be seen from 9.15am to 5pm on Monday, Friday and Saturday, and from 9.15am to 7pm on Tuesday and Thursday.

The exhibition runs until Tuesday, December 23.