Residents are hoping to shape the future regeneration of their Oxford estate by training as community researchers.

Maureen Robertson takes notes as part of the project to compile information about Barton's needs

Seven people, aged between 16 and 75, are taking part in the £161,000 Barton Resident Research Project, to discover how people in Barton want their estate to improve.

Vikki Gledhill, project co-ordinator, said: "Barton has already had its fair share of interest from academic researchers, but this research will be carried out by local residents who will be provided with paid training and employment."

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation has compared Barton to Oldham, finding similar poverty indicators such as low incomes and high unemployment.

Single mother of four Maureen Robertson, 42, of Alden Crescent, Barton, hopes the scheme will help her back to work.

Ms Robertson said: "The training has been a real eye opener.

"After having children it's a great way back into meeting different people and doing something different, and you get a qualification from doing it."

Joyce Fleetwood, 73, of Bernwood Road, has been a member of the Barton Community Association committee for many years.

She said: "I thought I'd be too old for this, but I inquired and was told there was no upper age limit.

"I like to have a voice in what's going on and I think this will be a very positive project, giving people the chance to talk about what they want on the estate."

The researchers are paid £6 per hour for 10 hours a week until October, when an action plan will be drawn up.

Later, two paid researchers will begin work as part of the project, which runs until March 2005.